Big changes are coming to Saturday Night Live as the show heads into its milestone 50th season, set to premiere on September 28.
Three comedians are saying goodbye to the iconic show, while three fresh talents are stepping in to fill their shoes.
Meet the New Cast Members
The newcomers—Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline—are joining SNL as featured players. Meanwhile, three existing cast members, Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow, and Devon Walker, have been promoted to the main cast.
However, one featured player, Chloe Troast, won’t be returning for the new season after just one year on the show. Troast shared her departure in a heartfelt Instagram post, saying:
“I wish I was going back to be with all the amazing friends I made there, it truly felt like home. But it wasn’t in the cards.”
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More Exits for the 50th Season!
In addition to Troast, longtime cast members Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney are also exiting SNL.
Kearney, the show’s first nonbinary cast member, expressed gratitude for their time on the show, while Johnson mentioned that leaving was mutual, admitting she “didn’t really feel like I fit” with the show’s vibe.
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Who Are the New Faces?
The new featured players bring a diverse mix of comedy backgrounds to SNL.
- Ashley Padilla, a member of the Groundlings sketch troupe, has already made appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm and NBC’s Night Court.
- Jane Wickline is a TikTok star with a significant following. She’s known for her character-driven sketches and also appears in the TikTok comedy show Stapleview.
- Emil Wakim is a stand-up comedian who has opened for big names like Roy Wood Jr., Nikki Glaser, and Hasan Minhaj. He made his TV debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 2022.
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What to Expect This Season?
With the presidential race heating up, SNL will return just in time to spoof the final weeks before Election Day.
Fans can expect Maya Rudolph to reprise her role as Kamala Harris, while James Austin Johnson will likely continue his famous Donald Trump impression. However, it’s still unclear who will play their running mates, J.D. Vance and Tim Walz.
Although some fans suggested Steve Martin for the role of Minnesota governor Walz, the legendary comedian has already declined, stating, “I’m not an impressionist.”