Within just a few weeks, you’ll be able to enjoy “Live from New York, it’s Saturday night!” once again as Saturday Night Live Season 51 makes its debut in the 2025 television lineup. However, there may be some changes ahead for this long-standing sketch comedy show, with Lorne Michaels and his team introducing new elements backstage. As a result, we can expect some fresh faces joining the cast of Saturday Night Live when it resumes on October 4, although the exact identities of these newcomers have yet to be revealed. The show will air both on NBC and with a Peacock subscription.
Here’s a summary of who is currently with us and who is leaving as we move forward towards our first episode post-the SNL 50 incident in May. Please note that this list may change in the forthcoming weeks, so remember to check back regularly for updates.
SNL Cast Members Who Are Leaving Before Season 51
Who will not grace the stage as the Saturday Night Live cast performs in Studio 8H this fall? Let’s examine the individuals who have left so far…
Devon Walker
In August 2025, Devon Walker, who had been on the show for three seasons, announced on Instagram that he would not be returning to Saturday Night Live. A featured player in 2022 and 2023 before becoming a full member of the repertory cast for SNL 50, Walker said the experience was sometimes “really cool,” while at others, “toxic as hell.”
Emil Wakim
A couple of days later, Emil Wakim, who joined SNL as a featured player in 2024, announced on Instagram that he, too, wouldn’t be returning for another season. Wakim, who brought a Middle Eastern perspective to the show, revealed he was at Six Flags with friends when he got the call no one wants to receive.
Michael Longfellow
The following day, Michael Longfellow, who joined the cast as a featured player in 2022 before becoming a full member of the cast in 2024, announced that he was also leaving Saturday Night Live. Like his other former castmates, Longfellow announced on Instagram that he was leaving, but also that he was thankful for the opportunity that Lorne Michaels gave him over the past few years.
Heidi Gardner
In late August 2025, it was unexpectedly announced that Heidi Gardner would not be coming back for the ninth season of SNL, as reported by Variety. For nearly all her time with the show, Gardner had been a main cast member except for two years. Over recent years, she played pivotal roles in some of the series’ most humorous sketches, such as when she struggled to keep straight during the Beavis and Butt-Head sketch.
SNL Cast Members Who Are Staying (For Now)
While Lorne Michaels has only verified one comeback for Saturday Night Live Season 51, the fate of the rest of the cast remains uncertain. Nevertheless, here’s a complete roster of individuals who graced the show during the previous season, any of whom may potentially continue (although this could shift quickly):
- Michael Che
- Mikey Day
- Andrew Dismukes
- Chloe Fineman
- Marcello Hernandez
- James Austin Johnson
- Colin Jost
- Ego Nwodim
- Sarah Sherman
- Kenan Thompson
- Bowen Yang
- Ashely Padilla
- Jane Wickline
Who’s Joining The SNL Season 51 Cast?
Even though the definitive list of recurring actors isn’t out just yet, it was announced by the official Saturday Night Live account back in September 2025 that five fresh featured players are joining the team.
Tommy Brennan
The stand-up comedian, Tommy Brennan, who recently made an appearance on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” is expected to follow in the footsteps of numerous comedy predecessors as he prepares to perform during Season 51.
Jeremy Culhane
Jeremy Culhane, who you may recognize from American Vandal, will also be joining the cast.
Ben Marshall
Despite the departure of Martin Herlihy into a writing role and John Higgins from the show, Ben Marshall has been added as a new cast member in the SNL lineup for Season 51.
Kam Patterson
Kam Patterson, known for his extensive collaboration with Tony Hinchcliffe on the “Kill Tony” podcast, is also set to make an appearance this autumn as a fresh face.
Veronika Slowikowska
Veronika Slowikowska completes the latest recruits for the Saturday Night Live Season 51 lineup. Known for her comedic talents on social media, she has graced screens on series like Tires and What We Do in the Shadows recently.
Looking forward to watching ‘Saturday Night Live’ Season 51 when it premieres in October? Subscribing to Peacock will make that experience smoother than ever! Plus, plans starting at just $7.99 a month offer unlimited access to an extensive library of past seasons dating back to 1975. Take advantage of the deal now!
Anticipate that there will be a lot of discussion about the cast for the upcoming Saturday Night Live Season 51, particularly as the October 4th premiere draws near.
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2025-09-04 17:16