Leslie Jones Leaving Saturday Night Live After 5 Seasons

Leslie Jones is departing the cast of Saturday Night Live after five seasons, according to multiple reports.

The comedian and actress, 51, first joined the NBC comedy sketch series in 2014 as a writer. She quickly became a prominent cast member during the “Weekend Update” segments, earning three Emmy nominations during her five seasons.

Jones will now be focusing on her new Netflix standup special, set to air in 2020. The special will begin filming in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 10, which she revealed last weekend on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

She is also set to star in The Angry Birds Movie 2 as the evil villain Zeta.

RELATED: Saturday Night Live‘s Leslie Jones Releasing a New Netflix Standup Special in 2020

Meanwhile, Emmy winner and former SNL cast member Kate McKinnon has closed a deal to return to the series, according to The Hollywood Reporter. McKinnon’s contract was up in May, after seven total seasons on the show.

Besides Jones, main cast members Beck Bennett, Aidy Bryant, Michael Che, Pete Davidson, Mikey Day, Heidi Gardner, Kyle Mooney, Chris Redd, Cecily Strong and Kenan Thompson are all set to star in the upcoming 45th season.

On Monday, Eddie Murphy was confirmed as this year’s Christmas episode host, marking his first time on the show in 35 years.

RELATED: Eddie Murphy to Host SNL for First Time in 35 Years — Plus Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish and More

Woody Harrelson will kick off the season premiere on Sept. 28, with Billie Eilish as the musical guest. Fleabag’s Phoebe Waller-Bridge, Stranger Things‘ David Harbour and Kristen Stewart will also host.

And Taylor Swift will take the stage to sing new songs off her hit album Lover on Oct. 5.

SNL returns Sept. 28 at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.