A New Era in Studio 8H
As “Saturday Night Live” gears up for its 51st season, creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels is making good on his promise to “shake things up.” Following a landmark 50th anniversary season, the iconic sketch comedy show has announced a significant cast overhaul, introducing five new featured players who will make their debut on the season premiere on October 4, 2025. The new additions come in the wake of the departure of four cast members, signaling a fresh direction for the long-running program.
Meet the New Featured Players
The incoming class of comedians brings a diverse range of talents from stand-up stages, viral social media sketches, and established comedy troupes. One new face will be particularly familiar to dedicated viewers.
- Ben Marshall: A writer for SNL since 2021, Marshall is one-third of the popular comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy, which has produced numerous viral digital shorts for the show. His promotion to a featured player marks a significant step for the group’s presence on screen.
- Tommy Brennan: A stand-up comedian from Minnesota, Brennan was named a Just for Laughs New Face of Comedy in 2023 and has performed on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”
- Jeremy Culhane: Hailing from California, Culhane is known for his viral online videos and is a regular performer on Dropout TV and with the Upright Citizens Brigade. He has also appeared in shows like “American Vandal.”
- Kam Patterson: An Orlando-based stand-up comedian, Patterson is a regular on the popular live comedy podcast “Kill Tony” and is set to appear in the upcoming Netflix film “72 Hours.”
- Veronika Slowikowska: A Canadian comedian and actress, Slowikowska has gained a large following for her sketch comedy on Instagram and TikTok. Her acting credits include roles in the Netflix series “Tires” and FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows.”
Fond Farewells to Departing Stars
The infusion of new talent follows the recent exits of four cast members. The most notable departure is that of Heidi Gardner, who is leaving after eight seasons. Gardner became a fan favorite for her memorable “Weekend Update” characters like Angel, Every Boxer’s Girlfriend. As of the announcement, she has not publicly commented on her exit.
Three more recent additions are also departing:
- Devon Walker and Michael Longfellow are both leaving after three seasons. In an Instagram post, Longfellow expressed his disappointment, writing, “Wish I was [returning] but, so it goes.” Walker described his time on the show as a “f–ked up lil family” that was “sometimes toxic as hell.”
- Emil Wakim is departing after just one season as a featured player. He called the news a “gut-punch of a call to get” but expressed gratitude for the experience.
Looking Ahead to Season 51
The cast shake-up extends to the writers’ room, with John Higgins of Please Don’t Destroy also leaving the show. These changes align with Lorne Michaels’ stated goal to “reinvent the cast” following the celebratory 50th season, which recently garnered an impressive 30 Primetime Emmy nominations, as reported by digitaltrendstoday.com. Michaels has confirmed that repertory player James Austin Johnson will return, noting the show will continue to rely on his well-known impersonation of Donald Trump. With a mix of veteran talent and fresh comedic voices, Season 51 is poised to begin a new chapter when it returns to NBC and Peacock on October 4.
