Saturday Night Live cast shake-up ahead of season 51, all you need to know

“Saturday Night Live” is shaking up its cast ahead of its 51st season, announcing five new featured players and several notable departures.

Among those promoted is Ben Marshall, a member of the comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy, who will be stepping into a featured role after four seasons on the show. This marks a significant milestone for Marshall, who joined the NBC sketch series as part of the trio and has contributed to the show’s unique comedic style. Fellow Please Don’t Destroy member John Higgins is leaving the show, while Martin Herlihy remains on staff as a writer.

Joining Marshall as new featured players are Veronika Slowikowska, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Tommy Brennan. Slowikowska, who has built a strong following on Instagram with her viral comedy sketches, has acting credits including Netflix’s “Tires” and FX’s “What We Do in the Shadows.” Jeremy Culhane is a familiar face in the comedy world, performing with the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles and appearing regularly on Dropout TV.

Stand-up comedian Kam Patterson is known for his appearances on Tony Hinchcliffe’s podcast “Kill Tony” and will soon be seen in Kevin Hart’s Netflix film “72 Hours.” Tommy Brennan, recognized as a Just for Laughs New Face of Comedy in 2023, has also showcased his talents on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.”

These additions come as “SNL” bids farewell to several cast members. Heidi Gardner, a long-time player with eight seasons under her belt, has exited the show. Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker, each with three seasons, are also departing, along with Emil Wakim, who leaves after one season.

Walker reflected on his time with “SNL” in an Instagram post, describing it as a mixture of highs and lows but ultimately appreciating the “fucked up lil family” he found there. Wakim also expressed gratitude, calling his experience “the most terrifying, thrilling, and rewarding” of his life.

Season 51 of “Saturday Night Live” premieres on NBC on October 4, following the landmark 50th anniversary season, which featured documentaries, a Radio City Music Hall concert special, and a three-hour telecast with “SNL” legends.