Saturday Night Live is preparing for its 51st season with one of the biggest cast reshuffles in recent years. NBC has officially announced five new cast members joining the late-night comedy show, following the departure of several familiar faces.
Among the new additions, Ben Marshall, a member of the comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy, is making the jump from digital shorts to the main cast. This comes after John Higgins stepped away, while Martin Herlihy is expected to continue as a writer.
Full List of New SNL Cast Members for Season 51
Alongside Marshall, the fresh lineup includes:
- Veronika Slowikowska, named on Vulture’s 2024 “Comedians You Should and Will Know” list.
- Kam Patterson, a stand-up performer recognized from Kill Tony.
- Tommy Brennan, who recently appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
- Jeremy Culhane, a familiar face from Dropout’s popular comedy projects.
Who Left SNL Ahead of Season 51?
The arrival of five new cast members follows the confirmed departures of Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Emil Wakim.
- Gardner, who joined in 2017 and created standout characters like Angel and Bailey Gismert, is now starring in the Apple TV+ series Shrinking.
- Walker, part of the show since 2021, bid farewell with a candid social media post describing his experience as both exciting and challenging.
- Longfellow, known for his Weekend Update appearances, called his three years on SNL “the best of his life.”
- Wakim, who only lasted one season, said his exit felt like “a gut punch” but was grateful for the opportunity.
Lorne Michaels on SNL’s Future
Show creator Lorne Michaels had hinted in August that a major shake-up was coming. While NBC has not confirmed if more changes are ahead, Michaels assured fans that James Austin Johnson will continue playing Donald Trump, a role he first took on in 2021.
Why Season 51 Matters
Season 50 was a milestone year, marked by a prime-time special, concert, and music documentary. Ratings soared by 12% compared to Season 49, cementing SNL as the top-rated broadcast among adults 18–49.
With the arrival of Marshall, Slowikowska, Patterson, Brennan, and Culhane, SNL is aiming to refresh its ensemble and keep its reputation as the go-to late-night comedy institution.