The New Era Of Comedy: Meet The Saturday Night Live Cast Members Of Season 51 (2025-2026)

The comedy landscape on late-night television has undergone a seismic shift, with *Saturday Night Live* (SNL) officially kicking off its historic 51st season in the Fall of 2025 with a significantly different ensemble. This new era, overseen by creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels, marks one of the biggest cast shake-ups in recent memory, blending seasoned veterans with a massive infusion of fresh comedic talent. As of today, December 11, 2025, the show is deep into its new season, and fans are already buzzing about the breakout stars and the surprising departures that define the current roster. The transition into Season 51 saw five new Featured Players join the ranks, while several beloved, long-running cast members made their emotional farewells. This article provides the definitive, up-to-date guide to the current SNL cast, detailing the full list of Repertory Players, the new Featured Players, and the notable comedic voices who have moved on to new projects.

The Complete Saturday Night Live Season 51 (2025-2026) Cast Roster

The 51st season of *Saturday Night Live* features a large and dynamic cast, balancing the experience of veterans like Kenan Thompson and the stability of the "Weekend Update" anchors with the raw energy of new talent.

Repertory Players (Returning Veterans)

• Michael Che: (Joined 2014) Co-Anchor of "Weekend Update."
• Mikey Day: (Joined 2016) Known for his spot-on celebrity impressions and recurring characters like the "Haunted Doll Owner."
• Andrew Dismukes: (Joined 2020) Promoted to Repertory Player, celebrated for his quirky, often dark, and distinct Southern-tinged humor.
• Chloe Fineman: (Joined 2019) A master of impressions, particularly for Hollywood stars and social media personalities.
• Marcello Hernández: (Joined 2022) Promoted to Repertory Player, a breakout star in recent seasons known for his charismatic on-camera presence and sketches about his Cuban-Dominican heritage.
• James Austin Johnson: (Joined 2021) The show's premier impressionist, most famous for his uncanny and often surreal Donald Trump impersonation.
• Colin Jost: (Joined 2005) Co-Anchor of "Weekend Update" and a Head Writer.
• Molly Kearney: (Joined 2022) A unique comedic voice, known for their physical comedy and distinctive character work.
• Sarah Sherman: (Joined 2021) Famous for her surreal, often grotesque, and high-energy comedy bits, often appearing alongside a host or Michael Che.
• Kenan Thompson: (Joined 2003) The longest-running cast member in SNL history, a cornerstone of the show and a true comedic chameleon.
• Bowen Yang: (Joined 2019) A cultural phenomenon and Emmy-nominated performer, celebrated for characters like "Iceberg" and his distinct commentary pieces.

Featured Players (The New Guard)

The Featured Players are the newest members of the cast, typically on a one-year contract to prove their comedic mettle. Season 51 introduced five new faces, alongside several returning players from the previous season.

• Ashley Padilla: (Joined 2024)
• Jane Wickline: (Joined 2024)
• Tommy Brennan: (Joined 2025) A stand-up comic and writer known for his sharp observational humor.
• Jeremy Culhane: (Joined 2025) An Upright Citizens Brigade (UCB) veteran and sketch performer.
• Ben Marshall: (Joined 2025) Previously a writer for SNL and a member of the popular comedy trio "Please Don't Destroy."
• Kam Patterson: (Joined 2025) A rising star in the stand-up comedy world, bringing a fresh perspective to the show.
• Veronika Slowikowska: (Joined 2025) Known for her work in the Chicago comedy scene, bringing strong character acting skills.

The Shocking Departures and The End of an Era

The start of Season 51 was defined not just by who joined the cast, but by the surprising number of fan-favorite Repertory Players who chose to—or were asked to—depart the show. This major shake-up has been widely discussed as Lorne Michaels clearing the deck to make room for a new generation of talent, ensuring the show remains fresh and unpredictable.

Notable Exits Before Season 51

The exits of these key players represent a significant loss of veteran talent, leaving a void in the show's roster of established characters and impressions. The most impactful departures include:

• Heidi Gardner: (2017–2025) After eight seasons, Gardner left as one of the most versatile and reliable performers. She was beloved for her strong character work, including the "Every Boxer's Girlfriend" and the perpetually anxious "Bachelorette" contestant. Her departure was one of the biggest surprises of the 2025 off-season.
• Ego Nwodim: (2018–2025) Nwodim's seven-season run established her as a powerhouse in the cast, known for her incredible range and memorable characters like the passive-aggressive "Lisa from Temecula." Her decision to leave has been cited as a move to pursue film and television opportunities.
• Michael Longfellow: (2022–2025) A talented stand-up, Longfellow was a rising star known for his dry wit and commentary, often appearing on "Weekend Update." He departed after three seasons.
• Devon Walker: (2022–2025) Walker was a Featured Player known for his unique deadpan delivery. His exit, along with other newer cast members, signals a strong push for a complete refresh.
• Emil Wakim: (2024–2025) After only one season as a Featured Player, Wakim was not asked to return for the 51st season.

The mass exodus of these established players—especially Gardner and Nwodim, who provided much of the show’s character depth—has created a high-pressure environment for the new Featured Players to step up and quickly find their comedic footing. The sheer volume of new additions suggests a deliberate strategy by Lorne Michaels to rebuild the ensemble from the ground up, a common pattern in SNL's history after a period of stability.

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The New Voices: Who is Breaking Out in the 51st Season?

The five newest members of the SNL cast have immediately been tasked with filling large shoes, and the early weeks of Season 51 have already highlighted several potential breakout stars. The addition of Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska is a bold move that brings diverse backgrounds in stand-up, sketch comedy, and digital content creation to Studio 8H.

Ben Marshall and the Digital Comedy Pipeline

The promotion of Ben Marshall from the SNL writing staff to a Featured Player is particularly noteworthy. Marshall is one-third of the highly successful digital comedy trio, "Please Don’t Destroy" (P.D.D.), alongside Martin Herlihy and John Higgins. While P.D.D. has been creating viral short films for the show since 2021, Marshall's transition to an on-camera performer signals a greater integration of the trio's unique, absurdist style into the live show's DNA. This move acknowledges the massive influence of digital comedy and the need for SNL to continually adapt to how younger audiences consume sketch comedy.

Kam Patterson: A Stand-Up Sensation

Kam Patterson is another new Featured Player whose inclusion is generating buzz. Hailing from the world of stand-up comedy, Patterson brings an immediate, polished stage presence. His humor, often rooted in observational and personal storytelling, stands to offer a more grounded contrast to the show's high-concept sketches. His early appearances have been praised for his natural charisma and ability to connect directly with the audience, suggesting he could quickly become a key player in the show’s monologue and "Weekend Update" segments.

The SNL Veterans: Kenan Thompson and the Legacy of Longevity

At the heart of the current SNL cast is Kenan Thompson, who continues to shatter records for longevity. As the longest-serving cast member in the show's 51-year history, Thompson is the undisputed anchor of the ensemble. His ability to effortlessly transition between characters, from the perpetually confused "Diondre Cole" on "What Up With That?" to his spot-on impressions of figures like Steve Harvey, provides a crucial foundation of stability and comedic excellence. His presence is a living link to multiple generations of SNL, offering a masterclass in sketch performance every week. Similarly, the "Weekend Update" duo of Colin Jost and Michael Che remains a constant. The two co-anchors, who also serve as Head Writers, have developed a distinct, often contentious, on-air chemistry that has defined the political and cultural commentary of the show for over a decade. Their continued commitment to the show, despite persistent rumors of their eventual departure, ensures that the show's most reliable segment remains in experienced hands. The Season 51 cast is a fascinating mix of old and new, a testament to the show's enduring ability to reinvent itself. With a massive wave of new talent and the shocking exits of established stars, this season promises to be one of the most unpredictable and exciting in *Saturday Night Live*'s storied history.