'Saturday Night Live' season 42 cast news update: Taran Killam, Jay Pharoah, Jon Rudnitsky exit 'SNL'

Three "Saturday Night Live" cast members have confirmed that they are departing the long-running late-night live TV sketch comedy ahead of its 42nd season.

On Monday, Aug. 8, TVLine reported that Taran Killam and Jay Pharoah will not be returning to "SNL" for its season 42.

Both Killam and Pharoah have been with the popular comedy show for its previous six seasons. Both are also reportedly leaving "Saturday Night Live" to pursue other endeavors.

The exit of the two cast members is a major loss for the Lorne Michaels-helmed show, particularly in the current election season.

In previous seasons of "Saturday Night Live," Killam impersonated various political players, including Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, and Marco Rubio. The comedian has also portrayed Matthew McConaughey.

Pharoah's departure will also leave a big void. The comedian has played President Barack Obama and former GOP presidential candidate Dr. Ben Carson. He has also impersonated Denzel Washington, Will Smith, Jay-Z, and Eddie Murphy, among others.

In a recent interview with Uproxx, Killam said, "I had sort of had it in my head I would make this upcoming year my last year, but then heard they weren't going to pick up my contract."

"I was never given a reason why, really," he added. The comedian had a seven-year contract but was only on "SNL" for six seasons.

Apart from retweeting a fan's post about his portrayal of Dr. Carson, Pharoah has not commented on his "SNL" exit.

After the news of Killam and Pharoah's exit broke, The Hollywood Reporter confirmed on Tuesday, Aug. 9, that another "SNL" player, Jon Rudnitsky, is leaving the sketch comedy.

Rudnitsky, the sole cast addition in the show's season 41, is known for impersonating Anderson Cooper and for a well-received "Dirty Dancing" sketch.

"Saturday Night Live" season 42 debuts this fall, airing Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.