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The 5 New Faces Shaking Up SNL: Meet The Season 51 Featured Players

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The iconic revolving door of Studio 8H has swung wide open once again, ushering in a fresh wave of comedic talent for the current season of Saturday Night Live. As of December 23, 2025, the buzz surrounding the newest crop of featured players is at an all-time high, with fans and critics eager to see who will become the next breakout star in the show’s storied history. Following the massive, celebratory milestone of the 50th season, the pressure is on for this group to prove they can carry the torch for the long-running sketch comedy series.

The addition of five new comedians—a significant infusion of talent—signals a major creative refresh as SNL moves into its 51st season. These new performers bring diverse backgrounds, from stand-up comedy circuits to viral online sketches, promising a dynamic shift in the show's comedic sensibilities. Get ready to meet the new faces who are already making their mark on the legendary stage.

The Complete New SNL Cast Member Biographies (Season 51)

The transition from the landmark 50th season into the 51st brought a substantial shake-up, with five new featured players joining the ensemble. Their backgrounds are a tapestry of modern comedy, ensuring a broad and exciting range of new characters and impressions.

Tommy Brennan

  • Role: Featured Player (Season 51)
  • Background: Hailing from the world of stand-up comedy, Tommy Brennan was notably recognized as a "New Face" at the prestigious Just For Laughs festival in 2023.
  • Comedic Style: Known for his sharp observational humor and self-deprecating style, Brennan's inclusion is a nod to SNL's tradition of sourcing top-tier stand-up talent.

Jeremy Culhane

  • Role: Featured Player (Season 51)
  • Background: Culhane is a writer and performer who has made a name for himself in the Los Angeles comedy scene. He is recognized for his work in sketch and improv.
  • Comedic Style: His style often involves surreal and character-driven sketches, suggesting he will be a key player in the show's more bizarre and conceptual pieces.

Ben Marshall

  • Role: Featured Player (Season 51)
  • Background: Marshall is best known as one-third of the popular comedy trio Please Don't Destroy, alongside Martin Herlihy and John Higgins, who have already achieved massive success writing and appearing in pre-taped shorts for SNL.
  • Comedic Style: His promotion from writer to featured player is a rare move, indicating his on-screen presence and unique comedic voice are highly valued by Lorne Michaels.

Kam Patterson

  • Role: Featured Player (Season 51)
  • Background: Kam Patterson is a stand-up comedian whose career has been rapidly ascending. He is particularly known for his strong stage presence and viral performances.
  • Comedic Style: Patterson brings a raw, energetic, and storytelling-focused brand of humor, which is expected to inject a new kind of vitality into the live sketches.

Veronika Slowikowska

  • Role: Featured Player (Season 51)
  • Background: Slowikowska is a Canadian actress and comedian, with a background in both improv and screen acting. She has garnered attention for her versatile character work.
  • Comedic Style: Her versatility and experience in character creation make her a strong candidate for a wide range of impressions and original characters, a crucial element for any successful SNL performer.

The Recent Cast Exodus and Promotions: The Full Picture

The introduction of five new featured players for Season 51 was necessitated by a significant number of departures and promotions that occurred over the last two seasons, particularly following the celebratory 50th anniversary. This constant evolution is a hallmark of SNL, ensuring the show remains dynamic and reflective of current comedic trends.

Key Departures and Exits

The 50th season saw several notable cast members bid farewell, creating the openings for the new talent. These exits included:

  • Punkie Johnson: A featured player since 2020, Johnson departed after the 49th season.
  • Molly Kearney: Known for their unique energy and presence, Kearney also exited the cast.
  • Chloe Troast: A newer featured player, Troast's departure was announced just before the Season 50 premiere.

These departures, while sad for fans, are a natural part of the show's cycle, allowing performers to pursue other major projects after their time at 30 Rock.

Promotions and Rising Stars

In a sign of their successful run as featured players, several comedians were promoted to the main repertory cast for the 50th season. This is a critical step in an SNL performer's career, cementing their status as core members of the ensemble:

  • Marcello Hernández: Promoted to repertory player, Hernández quickly became a fan favorite with his charismatic presence and memorable sketches.
  • Michael Longfellow: Known for his sharp, stand-up-style Weekend Update features, Longfellow also earned a promotion.
  • Devon Walker: Walker's promotion recognized his growing contributions and unique voice within the cast.

The success of these three, who were new just a few seasons ago, highlights the rapid trajectory of talent on the show and provides a clear path for the newest Season 51 featured players.

From Groundlings to TikTok: The Changing Face of SNL Auditions

The backgrounds of the new featured players for both Season 50 and Season 51 reveal a fascinating shift in how SNL sources its talent. While the show has always relied heavily on the improv and sketch comedy institutions like The Groundlings in Los Angeles, the influence of digital platforms is now undeniable, contributing significantly to the show's topical authority.

The Groundlings and Stand-Up Pipeline

Traditional comedy training remains a cornerstone. For Season 50, Ashley Padilla was a notable alum of The Groundlings, a breeding ground for comedy legends. Similarly, the inclusion of seasoned stand-up comedians like Emil Wakim (Season 50) and Kam Patterson (Season 51) ensures the show maintains a strong connection to the live comedy scene. This blend of improv-honed character actors and road-tested stand-up comics is the classic SNL formula.

The Rise of the Digital Comedian

The most significant change is the acceptance of talent discovered through social media. Jane Wickline, a featured player in Season 50, was notably identified as a "Tik-Tok comedian." This demonstrates that the path to Studio 8H is no longer exclusively through Chicago's Second City or the L.A. comedy clubs. Viral success, unique digital content, and a strong online following are now valid entry points, giving the show access to a younger, more internet-savvy comedic voice.

This shift is crucial for SNL to remain culturally relevant. By tapping into the talent that is already connecting with millions online, the show can better reflect the current zeitgeist and the humor of its younger demographic. The new featured players are expected to bring a fresh perspective to the show's writing, particularly in the pre-taped shorts which have become increasingly popular.

What the Future Holds for the Season 51 Ensemble

With five new faces and a solid core of repertory players, the Season 51 cast is poised for a dynamic run. The show, under the continued guidance of executive producer Lorne Michaels, is clearly prioritizing energy and diversity in its talent pool. The sheer volume of new players suggests a commitment to finding the next generation of comedic superstars.

The challenge for Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska will be to carve out their niche in a tight ensemble. Fans will be watching closely to see which of the new cast members breaks through with a signature impression, a recurring character, or a powerful "Weekend Update" segment. The history of Saturday Night Live shows that the featured players who succeed are those who can quickly define their unique comedic identity and resonate with the audience.

The current ensemble, which still includes veterans like Kenan Thompson, Colin Jost, and Michael Che, provides a stable foundation for the new talent to grow. The energy of the new cast members is a necessary ingredient to keep the show fresh and prevent it from becoming stale. As the 51st season continues to unfold, this group of comedians is set to define the next era of late-night sketch comedy, proving that even after five decades, SNL can still surprise and delight its audience with unexpected talent.

new snl cast members
new snl cast members

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