The SNL Season 51 Shakeup: Meet The 5 New Cast Members And The Major Stars Who Just Left
The iconic revolving door of Studio 8H has spun once again, and the changes for *Saturday Night Live* Season 51 are some of the most dramatic in recent memory. As of late December 2025, NBC has officially announced five new Featured Players, injecting a massive dose of fresh talent from stand-up, viral sketch comedy, and the world of podcasting into the storied cast. This new wave of comedians steps in to fill the shoes of several beloved veteran performers whose surprise departures have sent ripples through the comedy world, signaling a significant shift in the show’s dynamic.
The transition into the 51st season has marked a clear changing of the guard, blending established writers and viral sensations with traditional stand-up comics. This strategic casting move by Executive Producer Lorne Michaels aims to keep the late-night sketch show relevant and unpredictable, ensuring its continued topical authority in the volatile landscape of modern comedy. Below is a deep dive into the five new faces and the major shakeups that define the latest era of *SNL*.
The Five New Featured Players for SNL Season 51
The new class of Featured Players—Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska—brings a diverse set of skills and a significant online presence. Their backgrounds range from being regulars on major comedy podcasts to starring in viral digital shorts, promising a fresh, internet-savvy tone for the upcoming season.
1. Ben Marshall (The PDD Promotion)
Ben Marshall is not entirely new to the *SNL* ecosystem, having already established himself as one-third of the immensely popular sketch comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy (PDD). Marshall, alongside his PDD partners Martin Herlihy and John Higgins, joined *SNL* as writers in 2021 for Season 47, quickly becoming known for their viral, absurdist digital shorts.
- Role: Featured Player (Promoted from Writer)
- Notable Pre-SNL Work: Viral PDD digital shorts like "Three Sad Virgins" (with Taylor Swift) and "Jonas Brothers’ New Song."
- Significance: His promotion is a rare move, officially integrating a PDD member into the on-screen cast, which could lead to more live sketch appearances for the group beyond their pre-taped segments.
2. Veronika Slowikowska (The Viral Canadian Star)
Veronika Slowikowska is a Canadian comedian and actress who arrives at *SNL* with a massive following built on her sharp, character-driven internet sketch comedy, particularly on TikTok.
- Role: Featured Player
- Notable Pre-SNL Work: Slowikowska is a CSA-winning actress who has appeared in American and Canadian productions, including a role as Shanice in five episodes of the FX horror-comedy *What We Do in the Shadows* and the series *Tires*.
- Significance: Her casting signals *SNL*'s continued effort to tap into the well of talent discovered through viral social media platforms, following the successful integration of other internet-first comedians.
3. Kam Patterson (The Stand-Up Sensation)
Kam Patterson is a rising star in the world of stand-up comedy, known for his sharp and distinctive comedic voice. He is based out of Austin, Texas.
- Role: Featured Player
- Notable Pre-SNL Work: Patterson gained significant prominence for his regular and memorable appearances on the popular comedy podcast *Kill Tony*, where he quickly became a fan favorite.
- Significance: His addition is a nod to the traditional stand-up comedy circuit, bringing a raw, stage-tested energy to the show's ensemble.
4. Jeremy Culhane (The Podcast Host)
Jeremy Culhane is an American comedian, actor, writer, and improviser who is also known for his work in the podcasting space and as a viral TikTok personality.
- Role: Featured Player
- Notable Pre-SNL Work: Culhane is an alumnus of Texas Christian University (TCU) and co-hosts the meta-comedy podcast *Artists on Artists on Artists on Artists*. He has also written, directed, and performed for KCRW's *Important* podcast.
- Significance: His background in both viral comedy and audio production suggests a versatile performer capable of contributing across *SNL*'s various formats, from live sketches to pre-taped segments.
5. Tommy Brennan (The Minnesotan Transplant)
Tommy Brennan is a New York-based stand-up comedian who originally hails from Minnesota, where he got his start in comedy before moving to Chicago.
- Role: Featured Player
- Notable Pre-SNL Work: Brennan attended the University of Notre Dame, initially pursuing a business career in accounting before switching to comedy. He began performing stand-up in Chicago and later moved to New York, establishing himself on the city's comedy scene.
- Significance: Representing the traditional path of a stand-up comic honed in the Midwest and East Coast scenes, Brennan adds another layer of stage-ready performance to the new cohort.
The Major Departures: Who’s Gone from the SNL Cast?
The arrival of five new featured players was necessitated by a significant cast shakeup, which saw several key performers—including a long-running repertory player—depart ahead of Season 51. These exits create large voids in the ensemble and open up opportunities for the new cast to develop their own recurring characters.
Heidi Gardner
Heidi Gardner, who joined *SNL* in 2017 for Season 43, was one of the most surprising and impactful departures. Over her seven seasons, Gardner became a reliable repertory player known for her distinct character work and strong impressions. Her departure leaves a major gap in the female ensemble.
Michael Longfellow
Michael Longfellow, a featured player who joined in 2022, also announced his exit. Longfellow was known for his sharp, observational stand-up style and his appearances on "Weekend Update." His departure, after only two seasons, was viewed by some fans as unexpected, given his strong start.
Devon Walker
While not as widely reported as the others, Devon Walker—who joined alongside Longfellow in 2022—was also among the departing cast members, further consolidating the shakeup of the show's newer talent pool. His exit, along with Longfellow's, clears space for a new generation of featured players to make their mark.
The show also saw other changes, including the potential for more veteran exits. Reports indicated that one other major cast member, Bowen Yang, may have been planning an exit later in the season, though he did return for the start of Season 51. This ongoing uncertainty keeps the future of the ensemble a hot topic among fans and critics alike.
The Returning Veterans: Who’s Holding Down the Fort?
Despite the significant departures, the core strength of *SNL* remains in its veteran performers, many of whom are returning for Season 51. Their presence provides stability and continuity, ensuring that key segments like "Weekend Update" and established recurring sketches can continue without interruption.
The following key players returned for Season 51:
- Michael Che and Colin Jost: The duo is back at the "Weekend Update" desk, continuing their long-running tenure as co-anchors.
- Kenan Thompson: The longest-tenured cast member in *SNL* history is back, continuing to provide a steady, versatile comedic backbone to the show.
- Bowen Yang and Ego Nwodim: Both fan favorites, known for their breakout characters and cultural commentary, are returning as repertory players.
- Other Repertory Players: Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson, and Sarah Sherman all returned, ensuring a deep bench of experienced talent.
This mix of seasoned veterans and hungry newcomers is a classic *SNL* formula. The new featured players—Brennan, Culhane, Marshall, Patterson, and Slowikowska—will have the opportunity to learn from the best while simultaneously pushing the show's comedic boundaries with their fresh, internet-age perspectives. The success of Season 51 hinges on how quickly this new group can create breakout characters that resonate with the audience and fill the large comedic voids left by the departing stars.
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