The SNL Season 51 Cast: Meet The New Stars, Veterans, And The Shocking Shakeup For 2025

The comedy landscape at Studio 8H has undergone a significant transformation, marking one of the most anticipated cast shakeups in recent memory as Saturday Night Live enters its historic 51st season. As of December 2025, the show is balancing the stability of its longest-running veterans with an influx of fresh, viral talent, creating a dynamic ensemble that promises to define the next era of late-night sketch comedy. This deep dive reveals every player, from the record-holders to the newest featured faces plucked from the stand-up and digital comedy scenes.

The 2025 cast is a fascinating mix of established repertory players—many of whom are setting all-time longevity records—and five brand-new featured players, alongside the promotion of a fan-favorite writer. This injection of new blood, a strategy executive producer Lorne Michaels calls "how it revives itself," comes after the departure of several key players, ensuring the show maintains its reputation for constantly evolving and surprising its audience. The new season is already delivering viral sketches and breakout characters, cementing the show's relevance in the age of TikTok and streaming.

The Complete SNL Season 51 Cast List & New Star Biographies

The Season 51 cast is divided into two groups: Repertory Players (the veterans) and Featured Players (the newer members). This year’s ensemble features 11 Repertory Players and 7 Featured Players, totaling 18 performers.

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Repertory Players (Veterans)

These comedians form the backbone of the show, many having achieved iconic status and record-breaking tenures:

• Kenan Thompson: The longest-tenured cast member in SNL history.
• Colin Jost: Co-anchor of "Weekend Update" and co-head writer.
• Michael Che: Co-anchor of "Weekend Update" and co-head writer.
• Mikey Day: Known for his impressions and recurring characters like the "Haunted Elevator" man.
• Chloe Fineman: A standout impressionist and key player in digital shorts.
• Marcello Hernandez: A breakout star from the previous season, often featured in viral sketches.
• James Austin Johnson: Widely regarded as the best political impressionist of his generation, notably for his Donald Trump.
• Ego Nwodim: A powerhouse performer with popular recurring characters.
• Sarah Sherman: Known for her anarchic, alternative comedy style and "Weekend Update" segments.
• Andrew Dismukes: A strong writer-performer with a distinct comedic voice.
• Bowen Yang: An Emmy-nominated star known for his unique characters and cultural commentary.

Featured Players (The New Class of 2025)

The new additions are often the most exciting part of any SNL season, bringing fresh perspectives and viral energy. Season 51 introduced five new faces, alongside two returning featured players from the previous season (Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline).

Tommy Brennan

Biography & Profile: Tommy Brennan (born June 1, 1994) is an American stand-up comedian originally from St. Paul, Minnesota. He honed his craft in the rigorous Chicago comedy scene before moving to Los Angeles. Brennan is known for his sharp, observational stand-up, and his addition marks a return to hiring traditional touring comedians.

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Jeremy Culhane

Biography & Profile: Jeremy Culhane (born February 17, 1992) is a comedian and actor who made a splash by becoming one of the few newcomers to open a season premiere of SNL. A Texas Christian University (TCU) alumnus, Culhane gained significant online traction as a viral TikTok comedian before landing the coveted role in Studio 8H.

Kam Patterson

Biography & Profile: Kameron "Kam" Patterson (born April 10, 1999) is an American stand-up comedian from Orlando, Florida. Patterson quickly rose to prominence through his memorable, one-minute stand-up appearances on the popular Kill Tony podcast. His raw, laid-back comedic style and internet fame made him a highly sought-after addition to the cast.

Veronika Slowikowska

Biography & Profile: Veronika Slowikowska (born October 29, 1995) is a Canadian comedian and actress, known for her viral internet sketch comedy. Born in Poland and raised in Barrie, Ontario, she is the first Canadian cast member since Norm Macdonald. Her pre-SNL work includes sketches that blended absurdism with keen social observation, and she studied at the Randolph College for the Performing Arts.

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Ben Marshall

Biography & Profile: Ben Marshall (born May 1, 1995) is an American comedian and writer, best known as one-third of the sketch comedy trio Please Don't Destroy (PDD), alongside Martin Herlihy and John Higgins. After joining SNL as writers in 2021 and creating numerous viral digital shorts, Marshall was promoted to a Featured Player for Season 51, a rare move that recognizes the PDD trio's massive influence on the show's digital content.

The Record-Breakers: Colin Jost, Michael Che, and Kenan Thompson

The stability of the longest-running cast members provides a crucial foundation for the show's newer talent. Season 51 further solidifies the legendary status of several veterans, particularly those anchoring the iconic "Weekend Update" segment.

Colin Jost and Michael Che continue their tenure as the co-anchors of "Weekend Update," extending their record as the longest-serving duo in the segment’s history. Their dynamic, which often culminates in the highly anticipated "joke swap" where they read offensive jokes written for each other, remains a highlight of every episode. Their longevity is a testament to their chemistry and their ability to consistently satirize the week's most pressing news, from political turmoil to pop culture moments.

Meanwhile, Kenan Thompson enters his unprecedented 23rd season, a record that is unlikely to ever be broken. His versatility, ability to anchor any sketch, and beloved recurring characters make him the undisputed elder statesman of the cast. Thompson's commitment is a symbol of the show's continuity, bridging multiple generations of comedy.

The SNL Cast Shakeup: Lorne Michaels' Strategy for Revival

The transition from Season 50 to Season 51 saw a significant cast shakeup, which, while surprising to fans, is a deliberate strategy employed by Executive Producer Lorne Michaels. Michaels openly discussed the changes, stating that the turmoil is "how it revives itself," underscoring the necessity of new perspectives to keep the show fresh.

The departures of seasoned Repertory Players like Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, and Michael Longfellow created the necessary space for the new class to shine. This turnover is essential to the show's creative engine, forcing the remaining cast and writers to adapt and new stars to emerge. The new featured players—many of whom are digital comedy stars—reflect a conscious effort to tap into the modern, internet-driven humor that resonates with younger audiences.

The promotion of Ben Marshall from the Please Don't Destroy writing trio is a key example of this strategy, recognizing the massive viral success of their digital shorts. PDD’s unique brand of absurdist, music video-style comedy has become a defining feature of the show's digital footprint. Their influence, combined with the stand-up background of Kam Patterson and Tommy Brennan, signals a new, hybrid approach to sketch comedy in the hallowed halls of Studio 8H.

Season 51 has already generated significant buzz, with sketches like the "Grind Song" gaining traction. The current cast is proving that the show’s ability to reinvent itself after five decades is its true superpower, ensuring that Saturday Night Live remains a cultural touchstone.