Heidi Gardner's exit from Saturday Night Live after eight years on the show’s cast may not have been voluntary. Reports indicate that her contract was not renewed for Season 51, part of a larger shake-up. An insider commented, 'It’s time for a new cast.'

According to the New York Post, Dana Carvey mentioned on his Fly on the Wall podcast that as far as he knows, it wasn't Gardner's choice to leave. He expressed surprise at the decision, praising her range and likability.

This news follows the departure of fellow cast members Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim. Five new featured players have been added for the upcoming season.

Gardner has not publicly commented on her exit. Earlier this year, she mentioned on Craig Ferguson’s podcast that sketch ideas were harder to come by, though the Post suggests the final decision wasn’t in her hands.

Gardner leaves SNL with 159 episodes and over 600 sketches to her name. She's had guest roles in shows like You, Shrinking, and Girls5eva, and she also recently filmed the indie feature Transcending in Kansas City.

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