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The SNL Season 51 Powerhouse: Meet The Current Cast, New Stars, And Shocking Departures For 2025-2026

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The landscape of late-night sketch comedy has undergone a significant transformation for the 2025-2026 television season, with Saturday Night Live officially kicking off its milestone Season 51. As of today, December 25, 2025, the show is navigating a substantial cast shakeup, balancing the loss of several veteran fan-favorites with the exciting promotion of rising stars and the introduction of fresh comedic voices from the world of stand-up and social media. This is the definitive, up-to-the-minute guide to who is delivering the laughs from Studio 8H, detailing every repertory player, every featured player, and the major departures that defined the start of the new season.

The new roster for *SNL* Season 51 represents a pivotal moment in the show's history, combining the stability of its longest-tenured members with the dynamic, unpredictable energy of its newest hires. From the Weekend Update desk to the most viral digital shorts, the current cast is set to define the next era of political and cultural satire. Get ready to dive deep into the profiles, notable characters, and comedic styles of the stars who are currently making headlines.

The Full Roster: SNL Season 51 Repertory and Featured Players (2025-2026)

The cast for Season 51 is divided into two tiers: the Repertory Players, who are the established veterans, and the Featured Players, who are the newest additions and are typically in their first or second year on the show. The total cast count for the season remains robust, ensuring a deep bench of comedic talent.

Repertory Players

  • Michael Che (Co-Head Writer, Weekend Update Co-Anchor)
  • Mikey Day
  • Andrew Dismukes
  • Chloe Fineman
  • Marcello Hernández (Promoted from Featured Player)
  • James Austin Johnson
  • Colin Jost (Co-Head Writer, Weekend Update Co-Anchor)
  • Ego Nwodim
  • Sarah Sherman
  • Cecily Strong (Status is often fluid, but remains a key presence)
  • Kenan Thompson (Longest-Tenured Cast Member)
  • Devon Walker (Promoted from Featured Player)
  • Punkie Johnson
  • Michael Longfellow

Featured Players

  • Tommy Brennan (New to Season 51)
  • Jeremy Culhane (New to Season 51)
  • Ben Marshall (New to Season 51)
  • Ashley Padilla (Returning from Season 50)
  • Kam Patterson (Returning from Season 50)
  • Veronika Slowikowska (New to Season 51)
  • Jane Wickline (Returning from Season 50)

Major Shakeups: Who Left and Who's New for 2025-2026

The transition into *SNL* Season 51 saw one of the most significant cast shakeups in recent memory, with several highly popular players opting to depart for new projects or moving on after multi-year runs. This turnover is standard for the sketch show but underscores the opportunity for the new class of talent to step into the spotlight.

Notable Departures Ahead of/Mid-Season 51

The most shocking news for many fans was the departure of several beloved veterans. These exits create a noticeable void in the cast's impression and character work, but also free up airtime for the rising stars.

  • Heidi Gardner: After eight seasons, Gardner announced her exit ahead of Season 51. Known for her brilliantly awkward characters like the perpetually nervous teen "Angel" and her sharp impressions, her departure marks the loss of a foundational performer from the last decade.
  • Bowen Yang: In a surprise mid-season move, Yang’s last episode aired on December 20, 2025, just before the holiday break. The Emmy-nominated comedian, celebrated for his unique voice, viral characters (like the Iceberg Who Sank the Titanic), and his powerful presence on Weekend Update, left the show after his eighth season, though no clear reason for the sudden exit was immediately provided.
  • Chloe Troast: After just one season (Season 50), Troast departed the show, highlighting the high-stakes, fast-turnover environment of the featured player role.
  • Other Departures: Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker also left the main cast, though Walker was later listed as a Repertory Player in some sources, indicating a complex transition period for the show's roster.

The New Wave of Featured Players

The show continues its tradition of scouting fresh talent, bringing in a diverse group of comedians with backgrounds in viral social media, stand-up, and established sketch writing. The newest additions for Season 51 include:

  • Veronika Slowikowska: A Canadian actress and comedian who gained internet fame through her viral sketches on TikTok and Instagram. Her background as a social media star brings a modern, digital-native comedic sensibility directly to Studio 8H.
  • Ben Marshall: Already a familiar name to dedicated fans, Marshall was formerly a writer on the show and a key member of the popular digital short trio "Please Don't Destroy" (alongside Martin Herlihy and John Higgins). His promotion from writer to Featured Player signals a renewed focus on the trio's chaotic, internet-savvy sketch style.
  • Tommy Brennan and Jeremy Culhane: Both are stand-up and sketch comedians known in the broader comedy circuit, rounding out the new class with experience from the live comedy scene.

The Current Powerhouse: Key Cast Members and Their Iconic Characters

The stability of SNL relies on its veteran players, who anchor the show's most popular sketches and political commentary. The following cast members are the comedic pillars of Season 51, each with a proven track record of creating memorable characters and driving cultural conversation.

Kenan Thompson: The Longest-Tenured Legend

Kenan Thompson is not just a cast member; he is an institution. Having joined in 2003, he is the longest-tenured cast member in *SNL* history, having broken the record previously held by Darrell Hammond. Thompson’s longevity is a testament to his versatility and ability to play virtually any role, from the straight man to the most outlandish character. He has appeared in over 1,500 sketches, a record that further cements his legendary status. His iconic characters include Diondre Cole, the host of the talk show "What Up With That?," and a host of hilarious impressions and original creations that have defined the show for over two decades.

The Weekend Update Anchors: Che and Jost

Michael Che and Colin Jost continue their tenure as the co-anchors of the "Weekend Update" segment, a role they have held for over a decade. Their contrasting styles—Jost's clean, sometimes smug delivery versus Che's sharper, more observational, and often controversial humor—create a dynamic that has kept the segment fresh and relevant. Both are also Co-Head Writers, making them central figures in the show’s creative direction and political satire.

Marcello Hernández: The Breakout Star

Following his promotion to a Repertory Player for Season 51, Marcello Hernández is officially one of the show’s breakout stars. Hernández brings a vibrant, Gen Z energy and a distinct Miami-centric perspective to the show. His sketches often explore his Cuban and Dominican heritage, and his viral moments include the parody song "Domingo" and his work in sketches like "Night Club Line," which showcase his ability to craft highly specific, instantly relatable characters.

Ego Nwodim: The Character Queen

Ego Nwodim has established herself as a character queen, with a knack for creating hilariously "strong and wrong" personalities. Her most iconic and beloved character is "Lisa from Temecula," who struggles with cutting steak and whose chaotic energy often breaks the composure of her co-stars. Nwodim's comedic genius lies in her commitment to the bit, whether she is playing Lisa, Miss Eggy, or delivering an impression of a celebrity like Dionne Warwick.

Chloe Fineman: The Impressionist Extraordinaire

Chloe Fineman stands out as the show's top impressionist, capable of transforming into a wide array of celebrities with uncanny accuracy. Her repertoire is vast and constantly evolving, including pitch-perfect send-ups of Britney Spears, Dr. Deborah Birx, and Phoebe Dynevor. Her ability to capture both the voice and the subtle mannerisms of public figures makes her indispensable in a show that relies heavily on political and pop culture impressions.

James Austin Johnson: The Political Chameleon

James Austin Johnson is best known for his incredibly detailed and viral impression of former President Donald Trump. Unlike previous Trump impersonators, Johnson captures the rambling, stream-of-consciousness style of the former president, making his performances feel uniquely unscripted and bizarrely accurate. He also provides numerous other random celebrity impressions on Weekend Update, solidifying his role as the show’s current political and celebrity impression anchor.

Sarah Sherman: The Queen of Surreal Comedy

Known professionally as Sarah Squirm, Sarah Sherman injects a dose of surreal, maximalist, and often grotesque humor into the show. Her unique style, characterized by kooky outfits and bizarre characters like an alarming meditation guru or the widow of Peanut the Squirrel, provides a necessary counterpoint to the show's more traditional sketches. Sherman's work ensures that *SNL* continues to embrace the weird and experimental side of sketch comedy.

snl current cast
snl current cast

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