SNL Season 51 Cast Set With Key Returns, Multiple Departures

Saturday Night Live is set to premiere its 51st season on NBC on October 4, 2025, with a cast lineup that blends returning favorites and new talent. Longtime cast members Michael Che and Colin Jost will continue co-anchoring Weekend Update, confirmed by Jost's wife, Scarlett Johansson. Season 51 will feature returning members such as Kenan Thompson, Chloe Fineman, Bowen Yang, and Ego Nwodim, alongside five newcomers: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska. The cast shakeup includes the departure of notable performers Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow, and writer Celeste Yim, with some former members citing a difficult or toxic work environment. Despite speculation of a large exodus following Season 50, the new cast is larger than previous years, indicating a combination of continuity and refreshing changes as the show enters a new era. The season promises to continue SNL's legacy of topical and diverse comedy sketches with a robust ensemble.