#Cecily Strong unsure about return to ‘SNL’ as Lorne Michaels speaks out

Cecily Strong — a “Saturday Night Live” staple who’s played the likes of Sofia Vergara, Ivana Trump and Jeanine Pirro — is still weighing her options about returning to the late-night comedy show for Season 47 this fall.

Strong, 37, told the New York Times she was “still thinking” about her decision to come back for a 10th year.

“Throughout the year, there were times where I felt like a fifth-year senior and I’m just hanging around, dead weight,” she said. “Then there would be moments that felt so good.”

“SNL” casting negotiations occur in the summer, according to The Hollywood Reporter, and longtime producer Lorne Michaels confirmed he and Strong were talking about her re-casting — and he’s hopeful for her return.

“My hope is she’ll come back,” he said. “What I said to her, and what I believe, is that I don’t think she’s done yet.”

While seven seasons is the average length of a contract with the comedy skit show, some cast members have exceeded that timeline — like Kenan Thompson, who is reportedly returning for his 19th season — so it is unclear whether Strong will, too.

But she isn’t the only one alluding to potentially leaving.

Michael Che, who faced controversy over recent comments about struggling 2021 Olympics medalist Simone Biles, said on “The Ellen Show” last year that he started to “psychologically brace” to leave in the future. Meanwhile, Pete Davidson recently alluded to “hanging up the jersey” on THR’s Comedy Actor Roundtable.

Strong’s tearing up during the season finale’s cold open, where actors talked about the difficulties of filming in 2020, created speculation that she was potentially saying goodbye.

In one of her final skits last season, Strong performed a sketch titled “My Way,” which “SNL” writer Bryan Tucker told the Times he wrote as a “victory lap” for her, as she was a vital part of the show.