Cecily Strong Is Still a 'Saturday Night Live' Cast Member Despite Absence from Opening Credits

Mar. 15, 2025

Photo: Will Heath/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Don’t worry,Cecily Strongis still a part ofSaturday Night Live.

The longtime comedian wasn’t featured in the opening credits of season 48 — but it has nothing to do with her employment status on the series.

Dana Edelson/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

PEOPLE has learned Strong, 38, will return at the conclusion of the one-woman play,The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe, which wraps on Oct. 23. Right now, Strong is performing the show in Los Angeles.SNLcreatorLorne Michaelsis one of the play’s producers.

Strong opened the show on Friday. “WHOAH HO MAMMA MIA,” she shared in anInstagram post. “I am still tearing up today when I think about last night. Opened my favorite show with my favorite people @silverleigh @billdamaschke I found out our ‘original Trudy’ would be at the show in the afternoon and cried all day up to and including the moment during bows where I got to acknowledge her.”

“I am beyond grateful that Jane and Lily have shared this show with me and us and it’s never going to feel normal. In the best way. I’m dealing with some major awe-infinitum,” she added.

Worries about Strong’s possible departure comes after amass exitfromSaturday Night Live.Kate McKinnon,Aidy Bryant,Kyle MooneyandPete Davidsonwere first to leave the show at the conclusion of season 47. An additional four comedians — full-time starsChris Redd,Melissa VillaseñorandAlex Moffatand featured comedianAristotle Athari— stepped away ahead of the season premiere.

SNLcreator Micahels has called the current season a"transition" year, noting, “the change years are always difficult.” Four new cast members joinedSNLahead of season 48.

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Saturday Night Liveairs Saturday nights at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

source: people.com