Saturday Night Live is entering its 51st season with one of the most significant cast overhauls in recent memory, marking a new chapter for the legendary sketch comedy series. As creator Lorne Michaels promised a major shake-up following the show’s milestone 50th anniversary season, SNL cast members season 51 will feature a dramatically different ensemble when the curtain rises on October 4.
Five New Faces Join the Historic Comedy Stage(SNL Cast Members Season 51)
- Five New Faces Join the Historic Comedy Stage(SNL Cast Members Season 51)
- Major Departures Reshape Studio 8H(SNL Cast Members Season 51)
- Lorne Michaels’ Strategic Vision for Season 51(SNL Cast Members Season 51)
- Returning Veterans Anchor the New Season(SNL Cast Members Season 51)
- Please Don’t Destroy Experiences Major Restructuring
- Historical Context and Future Expectations(SNL Cast Members Season 51)
- Looking Ahead to October 4
NBC officially announced on September 2, 2025, that five new featured players will join the SNL cast members season 51 lineup. The fresh additions bring diverse comedy backgrounds and represent Michaels’ strategic effort to revitalize the show’s comedic arsenal.
Ben Marshall, already familiar to SNL audiences as part of the comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy, transitions from behind-the-scenes writer to full-fledged cast member. His promotion signals NBC’s recognition of his established following and desire to capitalize on his proven chemistry with the show’s format.
Veronika Slowikowska brings significant social media presence with nearly 700,000 TikTok followers and television experience from appearances in Netflix’s “Tires” and FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows”. Her viral sketch comedy content and acting background position her as a versatile addition to the ensemble.
Tommy Brennan, recognized as a Just for Laughs New Face of Comedy in 2023, has showcased his character-driven humor on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon”. His expertise in sharply observed impressions makes him well-suited for SNL’s political and pop-culture parodies.
Kam Patterson, a regular on the popular “Kill Tony” podcast, will also appear in Kevin Hart’s upcoming Netflix comedy “72 Hours”. His high-energy delivery and willingness to tackle internet culture could provide standout moments early in the season.
Jeremy Culhane has built his reputation through viral TikTok content and regular appearances on Dropout TV, performing with the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. His fluency with short-form humor aligns perfectly with SNL’s growing emphasis on viral-ready content.
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Major Departures Reshape Studio 8H(SNL Cast Members Season 51)
The new additions come after four significant departures from the SNL cast members season 51 roster. Heidi Gardner, the longest-serving female cast member with eight seasons under her belt, will not return despite being featured in more sketches than any of her peers during season 50. Gardner’s exit represents the loss of beloved “Weekend Update” characters like Bailey Gismert and Angel, “every boxer’s girlfriend from every boxing movie ever made.”
Devon Walker announced his departure on August 25, candidly describing his three-year experience as sometimes “really cool” and at other times “toxic as hell”. His honest reflection on the show’s demanding environment resonated with fans and fellow cast members alike.
Michael Longfellow, whose frequent “Weekend Update” appearances led many to speculate he might become a co-anchor, confirmed his exit after three seasons. Reports indicated he had even screen-tested for the Weekend Update segment alongside writer KC Shornima, making his departure particularly surprising to fans.
Emil Wakim, who joined as a featured player for just one season, described receiving the news of his exit as “a gut punch of a call”. Despite the brief tenure, he expressed gratitude for the experience, calling it “terrifying, thrilling, and rewarding.”
Lorne Michaels’ Strategic Vision for Season 51(SNL Cast Members Season 51)
The dramatic changes align with creator Lorne Michaels’ earlier comments about feeling “pressure to reinvent” the show after maintaining cast stability during the milestone 50th season. In an August interview with Puck News, Michaels confirmed he was ready to “shake things up,” explaining that he had deliberately avoided major disruptions during the anniversary year to keep focus on the celebration.
“I wanted people coming back and being part of [the 50th season],” Michaels explained. “So when Kate [McKinnon] hosted, Kristen [Wiig] and Maya [Rudolph] came back for it. And that meant there couldn’t be those kind of disruptions or anything that was going to take the focus off [the 50th season].”
According to sources, Michaels conducted extensive summer auditions, with the first round taking place during Independence Day weekend and final decisions made in early September. The producer specifically sought “character-driven performers” rather than traditional stand-up comedians, suggesting a strategic shift in the show’s comedic approach.
Returning Veterans Anchor the New Season(SNL Cast Members Season 51)
Despite the significant turnover, several veteran SNL cast members in season 51 will provide continuity. Kenan Thompson, the longest-tenured cast member in SNL history with 22 seasons, returns alongside “Weekend Update” anchors Colin Jost and Michael Che. Other confirmed returning cast members include Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson, Ego Nwodim, Sarah Sherman, and Bowen Yang.
Notably, Michaels confirmed that James Austin Johnson will continue portraying President Donald Trump, a role he’s maintained since 2021. This decision ensures political continuity as the show navigates another election cycle.
Please Don’t Destroy Experiences Major Restructuring
One of the most significant behind-the-scenes changes involves the popular digital trio Please Don’t Destroy. With Ben Marshall’s promotion to the main cast, the group is effectively splitting up. John Higgins is leaving SNL entirely, while Martin Herlihy will remain as a writer. This restructuring reflects the show’s evolving approach to digital content and cast integration.
Historical Context and Future Expectations(SNL Cast Members Season 51)
The scale of change for SNL cast members season 51 represents the most substantial turnover since 2022, when eight individuals departed before the 48th season. However, such overhauls are part of SNL’s established tradition. As Susan Morrison noted in her biography of Michaels, the show has always operated as a “revolving door, by design,” with cast transitions serving as a crucial element of the program’s evolution.
The changes also come at a pivotal moment for the show. Season 50 experienced a 12 percent ratings increase over the previous season and maintained its position as the top-rated broadcast among the coveted 18-49 demographic. This success provides a strong foundation for the new cast to build upon.
Looking Ahead to October 4
As SNL cast members season 51 prepare for the October 4 premiere, the blend of fresh talent and veteran experience promises an intriguing dynamic. The new season will air at 11:30 PM ET on NBC, with episodes available on Peacock the following day. While the season opener’s host and musical guest remain unannounced, speculation continues to build around who will help launch this new era of Saturday Night Live.
The dramatic cast changes reflect Michaels’ commitment to keeping SNL fresh and relevant after five decades on the air. With five new featured players bringing diverse backgrounds in digital comedy, stand-up, and television, the 51st season of SNL cast members season 51 represents both a bold departure from recent stability and a return to the show’s tradition of constant reinvention. As longtime cast member Kenan Thompson noted, the Season 50 finale felt “bittersweet” knowing that significant changes were ahead, but the enduring magic of SNL lies in its ability to discover and nurture new comedic voices while maintaining the live, unpredictable energy that has defined American late-night television for half a century.