A Black Lady Sketch Show is welcoming three new cast members and bidding farewell to one core cast member as it enters its fourth season.
Ashley Nicole Black, who starred in the series since season 1 as well as wrote on the HBO series, won’t be returning for the upcoming season.
Series creator, Robin Thede made the announcement Tuesday (Oct 18) in a statement to Variety.
“We are forever indebted to our sister, Emmy winner Ashley Nicole Black, whose contributions as a writer and performer on A Black Lady Sketch Show for three seasons have made an indelible mark on our series and in comedy history,” Thede said in a statement to Variety. “She will always be a part of our family and we are rooting for her as she continues on her path of greatness.”
However, while fans will miss seeing her on the screen, they will be treated to the welcoming of DaMya Gurley, Tamara Jade, and Angel Laketa Moore.
The above three join returning core cast members Thede, Gabrielle Dennis, and Skye Townsend.
Black, also tweeted her departure from ABLSS and excitement for the new season.
“I am so happy that the fantastic Black Lady Sketch Show team will be back for a new season,” she wrote. “While I made the difficult decision to leave the show, I can’t wait to watch what they come up with!”
Black is currently coming off of an Emmy-winning writing stint on Ted Lasso. Up next she will star opposite Vince Vaughn in Apple TV+’s forthcoming 10-episode comedy Bad Monkey.
A Black Lady Sketch Show is beginning production for its fourth season following it being renewed this past June.
The HBO series, which features an all-Black-and-female cast performing in short-form sketches and an increasingly convoluted running story about surviving the apocalypse, has received consistent critical acclaim since premiering in 2019.
Its first three seasons have received a total of 13 Emmy nominations, with two wins for best editing of a variety series and a best directing trophy for Bridget Stokes, who helmed the Season 3 premiere.