Meet ‘Saturday Night Live’s Newest Cast Member, Ego Nwodim

By Claire Spellberg @c_spellberg
Published Sep. 21, 2018, 2:25 p.m. ET

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Just one week ahead of the season premiere, Saturday Night Live has finally announced the new faces joining Season 44. The main addition is Ego Nwodim, who is joining the cast following feature player Luke Null‘s departure. Nwodim has a background in improv and has trained at the Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB), but she’s still a relative newcomer, so it’s likely that you won’t recognize the name. That’s where we come in. Here’s everything you need to know about Ego Nwodim, Saturday Night Live’s new cast member.

Who is Ego Nwodim?

Nwodim is a young comedian who has made a name for herself in the past few years. After graduating from University of Southern California with a degree in biology, Nwodim started taking classes at UCB Los Angeles, where she became a regular cast member. In 2016, Nwodim was featured in the Just For Laughs New Faces Showcase and performed at the CBS Diversity Showcase. Last year, she wrote and starred in her first one-woman show, “Great Black Women… and Then There’s Me,” and she has continued to perform it for sold-out audiences ever since.

What Has Ego Nwodim Been In?

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As Nwodim’s comedy career took off, she produced a web series titled Egg Kelly. The series follows Egg Kelly (Nwodim) and her friend Michelle (Kim Cooper) as they deal with various everyday problems, including taking out Egg’s weave, buying drugs, and finding jobs.

In addition to Egg Kelly, Nwodim has appeared in a Funny Or Die video titled “Women Who Didn’t Love Wonder Woman Support Group,” the web series Friend-a-Ger, and more. You may have also heard her on various episodes of Scott Aukerman’s podcast Comedy Bang! Bang!.

Is Saturday Night Live Ego Nwodim’s First TV Show?

Hell no! Nwodim has had guest spots on plenty of popular shows, including 2 Broke Girls, Adam Ruins Everything, and Law & Order True Crime: The Menendez Murders.

When Will Ego Nwodim Make Her First SNL Appearance?

Rejoice, comedy fans. Vulture reports that Nwodim is expected to make her SNL debut during the Season 44 premiere, so you’ll only have to wait one week to see the new cast member in action.