The SNL Season 51 Cast: Who’s In, Who’s Out, And The New Breakout Stars Of 2025

As of December 2025, *Saturday Night Live* is deep into its monumental 51st season, marking a significant transition for the iconic sketch comedy show. The current cast roster has seen a major shake-up, featuring the departure of several beloved veterans and the introduction of a fresh wave of comedic talent, poised to define the next era of late-night humor. This season's ensemble balances the stability of long-running stars like Kenan Thompson and the sharp wit of 'Weekend Update' anchors with the energy of new faces, ensuring the show remains a cultural lightning rod in an ever-changing media landscape. The transition into Season 51 has been one of the most talked-about cast changes in recent memory, with five prominent players exiting Studio 8H. However, the new additions—including a trio of stand-up sensations and a viral sketch artist—have already begun to make their mark, bringing new characters and a unique comedic sensibility to the show.

The Complete SNL Season 51 (2025-2026) Cast Roster and Biography Profiles

The current *Saturday Night Live* cast for Season 51 is a mix of seasoned repertory players, the longest-running stars in the show’s history, and a group of dynamic featured players who are quickly finding their footing.

Repertory Players (Main Cast)

• Michael Che: (Writer/Co-Anchor of Weekend Update) Born: September 11, 1983. Joined SNL in 2013 (Writer), 2014 (Cast). Known for: Co-anchoring Weekend Update with Colin Jost, often delivering controversial and boundary-pushing jokes.
• Mikey Day: Born: March 20, 1980. Joined SNL in 2016. Known for: Spot-on impressions (Donald Trump Jr., Steve Bannon) and recurring characters like the "Couple Who Just Bought a Boat."
• Andrew Dismukes: Born: September 19, 1995. Joined SNL in 2020. Known for: His dry, often bizarre, Southern-tinged characters and Weekend Update appearances.
• Chloe Fineman: Born: July 20, 1988. Joined SNL in 2019. Known for: Her incredible range of impressions, including Elizabeth Holmes, Jennifer Coolidge, and various TikTok personalities.
• Marcello Hernández: Born: August 19, 1997. Joined SNL in 2022. Known for: Breakout star status, charming delivery, and sketches focusing on his Cuban-Dominican heritage and dating life.
• James Austin Johnson: Born: January 15, 1989. Joined SNL in 2021. Known for: His uncanny, stream-of-consciousness impression of Donald Trump and his deep-cut political impressions.
• Colin Jost: (Head Writer/Co-Anchor of Weekend Update) Born: June 29, 1982. Joined SNL in 2005 (Writer), 2014 (Cast). Known for: Co-anchoring Weekend Update, one of the longest-serving cast members in SNL history.
• Sarah Sherman: Born: March 20, 1993. Joined SNL in 2021. Known for: Her anarchic, surreal, and often grotesque style of comedy, frequently appearing in bizarre, high-energy sketches.
• Kenan Thompson: Born: May 20, 1978. Joined SNL in 2003. Known for: The longest-serving cast member in SNL history, known for his versatility, commitment to characters, and recurring sketches like "What Up With That?"
• Bowen Yang: Born: November 6, 1990. Joined SNL in 2019. Known for: His flamboyant, highly specific characters (like the Iceberg Who Sank the Titanic) and his status as the first gay male Chinese-American cast member.

Featured Players (New Cast)

• Ashley Padilla: (Featured Player) Joined SNL in 2024.
• Tommy Brennan: (Featured Player) Born: June 1, 1994. Joined SNL in 2025. Stand-up comedian from St. Paul, Minnesota, known for his work in Chicago and being named a "New Face" at Just For Laughs.
• Jeremy Culhane: (Featured Player) Joined SNL in 2025.
• Jane Wickline: (Featured Player) Joined SNL in 2024.
• Ben Marshall: (Featured Player) Joined SNL in 2025. Promoted from the SNL writing staff/short film trio "Please Don't Destroy."
• Kam Patterson: (Featured Player) Born: April 10, 1999. Joined SNL in 2025. Stand-up comedian from Orlando, Florida, who rose to prominence on the popular *Kill Tony* podcast.
• Veronika Slowikowska: (Featured Player) Born: October 29, 1995. Joined SNL in 2025. Canadian comedian and actress, known for her viral internet sketch comedy and work in Canadian film/TV.

The Major SNL Cast Departures Before Season 51

The start of the 51st season saw a significant changing of the guard, with five cast members announcing their departures. The exits of these key players created the openings for the new featured talent and signaled a major shift in the show’s dynamic. The biggest loss for the ensemble was the departure of Heidi Gardner. A beloved repertory player known for her incredible character work, especially the perpetually "Concerned New Yorker" Rhonda LaCenzo, Gardner’s exit left a void in the show's stable of reliable sketch performers. Other notable exits included Michael Longfellow, who had quickly become a fixture on Weekend Update with his sharp, observational humor, and Ego Nwodim, a versatile player celebrated for her strong impressions and recurring characters like the "Boss’s Wife." Devon Walker and Emil Wakim also departed, completing the five-person turnover that redefined the look of the Season 51 cast.

Meet the Breakout Featured Players of SNL Season 51

The injection of new talent is always the most exciting part of a new *SNL* season, and Season 51 has delivered a particularly strong class of featured players. These comedians are the ones to watch, as they are now tasked with creating the next generation of iconic *SNL* characters.

The Stand-Up Comedian Trio

*SNL* has returned to its roots by recruiting three established stand-up comedians: Tommy Brennan, Kam Patterson, and Jeremy Culhane. Brennan, a "New Face" at the prestigious Just For Laughs festival, brings a dry, Midwestern sensibility to the cast. Patterson, on the other hand, is a viral sensation, having gained a massive following through his regular, sharp appearances on the *Kill Tony* podcast. This focus on pure stand-up talent suggests a push for more direct, joke-driven comedy in the new season.

The PDD Promotion: Ben Marshall

One of the most anticipated moves was the promotion of Ben Marshall from the writing staff to featured player. Marshall is one-third of the viral comedy short film trio Please Don't Destroy (PDD), alongside Martin Herlihy and John Higgins. While the trio had previously only appeared in pre-taped shorts, Marshall's promotion to the main cast opens the door for him to appear in live sketches, potentially integrating the PDD's unique, absurdist style into the live broadcast.

Veronika Slowikowska: The Internet Sketch Star

Canadian comedian Veronika Slowikowska is another key addition, known for her sharp, character-driven internet sketch work prior to joining the show. Slowikowska, who studied at the Randolph College for the Performing Arts, brings a background in both viral comedy and formal acting training. Her early appearances have showcased her versatility, making her a strong contender for a rapid rise through the ranks.

Topical Authority: The Current SNL Comedic Landscape

The humor of Season 51 is heavily influenced by the returning repertory players and the new talent. The season's most popular sketches often involve the core cast members who have mastered their specific comedic lanes: * Marcello Hernández and Andrew Dismukes continue to excel in sketches that play on their generational and cultural differences, often involving dating or social media trends. * Chloe Fineman remains the show's impression engine, flawlessly embodying public figures and celebrities in cold opens and mid-show sketches. * Sarah Sherman continues to deliver her signature brand of anti-comedy, with sketches like "Miss Lycus The Fast Psychic" being cited as a Season 51 highlight, demonstrating the show’s willingness to embrace the bizarre. * Weekend Update remains the show's most consistent segment, with Che and Jost providing the political and cultural commentary, often featuring appearances from the new featured players, continuing the tradition of the segment being a launchpad for new talent. The recurring "Concerned New Yorker Rhonda LaCenzo" character, previously played by Heidi Gardner, is a prime example of a popular character that will be missed this season. The current *SNL* cast is a vibrant tapestry of experience and fresh energy. With the longest-running cast member in history anchoring the show and a new set of featured players eager to make their mark, Season 51 is shaping up to be a pivotal year in the show's legendary run, solidifying its role as the premier incubator for comedic talent.