Saturday Night Live has confirmed its full cast for Season 51, finalising changes that include the departure of long-time performers and the arrival of new talent.
Industry sources report that the current line-up consists of 18 cast members. Returning for the new season are Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernandez, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Ego Nwodim, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, and Bowen Yang.
They are joined by featured players Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline, along with newcomers Ben Marshall, Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.
The shake-up follows the exit of Heidi Gardner, who left after eight seasons, as well as Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker and Emil Wakim. Gardner’s departure was noted as the most significant among the four.
Che’s decision to return alongside Jost at the Weekend Update desk answers one of the major questions surrounding Season 51. His return was confirmed shortly after Jost’s involvement was revealed by Scarlett Johansson.
The last major cast departure occurred at the end of Season 47, when eight cast members, including Aidy Bryant, Pete Davidson, Kate McKinnon and Kyle Mooney, left the show.
Ahead of Season 51, speculation surrounded whether long-serving members such as Nwodim, Fineman, Yang, and Thompson — the longest-tenured performer in the show’s history — would remain.
The cast renewal comes after Saturday Night Live marked its 50th anniversary with a special that won 11 Creative Arts Emmy awards.
Season 51 is set to premiere on October 4 2025, with Lorne Michaels overseeing a line-up larger than that of last season.
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