Who’s Out & Who’s Back for Season 51?

Bowen Yang is reportedly leaving SNL mid-season, after its December 2025 holiday episode on December 20, which is hosted by his Wicked costar Ariana Grande. Yang joined the show as a writer for Season 44, became a cast member in 45 and was upped to main cast with Season 47.

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Ego Nwodim has announced that after seven seasons, she is leaving SNL. She released in a statement, “The hardest part of a great party is knowing when to say goodnight. But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL. I am immensely grateful to Lorne for the opportunity, to my castmates, the writers, and the crew for their brilliance, support, and friendship. Week after week on that stage taught me more than I could have ever imagined, and I will carry those memories, and that laughter, with me always.”

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Kenan Thompson, the longest tenured member of SNL, has been confirmed to return for Season 51.

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Michael Che is confirmed to return for Season 51 of SNL. He will continue hosting Weekend Update, and this marks his 11th season.

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Colin Jost will return for Season 51 of Saturday Night Live. Jost first joined the show in 2005 as a writer and started going on-camera in 2014 for Weekend Update.

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Chloe Fineman is confirmed to return for Season 51 of SNL — this will be her sixth season.

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Mikey Day will return for Season 51 of Saturday Night Live. He joined the show as a writer in 2013 and became a cast member in 2016.

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Sarah Sherman has been confirmed to return for Season 51 of SNL. She joined the show as a featured member for its 47th season in 2021, and she became a reparatory cast member for the 49th season in 2023.

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Andrew Dismukes is confirmed to return for Season 51 of SNL. Dismukes became a writer for the show in 2017, a featured cast member in 2020 and a repertory cast member in 2022.

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Ashley Padilla has been confirmed to return for the 51st season of SNL. She joined the show as a featured member last season.

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Jane Wickline has been confirmed for the 51st season of SNL. She joined the show as a featured cast member last season.

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James Austin Johnson has been confirmed to return for Season 51 of SNL. He joined the show as a featured cast member in 2021 and became a repertory one in 2023.

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Marcello Hernandez confirmed he is returning for Season 51 of Saturday Night Live. He told HOLA! during the US Open that he is, “Writing and having a lot of chats with the writers. It’s gonna be a good one, I think.” In regards to the departures and additions, the comedian said, “There’s been a lot of changes. Let’s see what happens.”

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Comedian Tommy Brennan has been added to the cast for Season 51 of SNL. He shared the announcement, writing, “This doesn’t feel real, but we’ll see you guys on Saturdays! @nbcsnl.”

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Jeremy Culhane has been added to the cast for Season 51 of Saturday Night Live. He shared the announcement and wrote, “Holy s– I think. @nbcsnl.”

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Ben Marshall is confirmed to join the cast for Season 51 of Saturday Night Live. The comedian is currently most known for his role in the Please Don’t Destroy franchise.

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Kam Patterson has been added to the SNL Season 51 cast.

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Veronika Slowikowska has been added to the Season 51 cast of Saturday Night Live. The comedian and actress shared the announcement, writing, “dream come true 🥲 see you Saturdays @nbcsnl.”

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After appearing on “Saturday Night Live” for eight years, Heidi Gardner is leaving the sketch comedy series, according to multiple outlets. She has yet to address the reports. Former “SNL” cast member Punkie Johnson weighed in on Gardner’s exit on Instagram, writing in a comment, “Ahhhhhh Lawd not my Heidi. This probly [sic] the biggest surprise of this ‘shake up’ Heidi you are my shining star… You had a great run and I admire everything about you. CONGRATULATIONS HEIDI… YOU ARE AN SNL LEGEND FOR LIFE… See you outside.”

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Emil Wakim announced on Instagram that he would be leaving “SNL” after just one season, alluding that his departure was not his decision. “i won’t be returning to snl next year. it was a gut punch of a call to get but i’m so grateful for my time there,” Wakim wrote in part, saying that he was at Six Flags when he received the news. “every time i scanned into the building i would think how insane it is to get to work there. it was the most terrifying, thrilling, and rewarding experience of my life and i will miss it dearly and all the brilliant people that work there that made it feel like a home. thank u to lorne for taking a chance on me and changing my life.” He continued, “i was so lucky to bring some of myself in there and say things i believed in and i’m excited for whatever chapter comes next. here’s to making more art without compromise.” Punkie Johnson also reacted to Wakim’s departure on Instagram, writing in a comment, “You beautiful man… this is a shocker to us all I’m sure. We should stand at the doors of 30 Rock and act a fool for you… Keep your head up baby… Let’s play outside.. it’s been fun.”

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Michael Longfellow revealed on Instagram that he would not be coming back for a fourth season at “SNL.” Like Wakim, Longfellow suggested that he was let go. “Will not be returning for a 4th season at SNL. Wish I was but, so it goes,” he wrote. “It was the best three years of my life so far. I feel nothing but gratitude for the experience and everyone there. Lorne, you gave me the greatest job in the world and changed my life. You even put my mom on TV. Thank you doesnt begin to cover it, but thank you. I’ll miss it all, but I’ll miss the friends I made and seeing them everyday the most.” He added, “Excited for the future and things to come. If you take anything away from my time on SNL let it be that smoking you makes you skinny and popular, Jesus was Chinese, and if a tortoise ever gives you trouble just kill him tough guy. You wont.” Punkie Johnson also shared her thoughts on Longfellow’s exit in an Instagram comment, writing, “wtf is happening… This is like the departed… My sexy handsome work husband… I love you so much…I’ll call you… Welcome back outside baby…. I’ll see you out here soon.”

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Devon Walker was the first cast member to announce his exit. He appeared on the sketch comedy show for three seasons, having just been bumped up from feature player to the repertory cast ahead of the 50th season. “me and baby broke up ❤️,” Walker captioned an Instagram post. In the slideshow, he offered a little more information in a “note” graphic titled, “wait..did he quit or did he get fired?” He wrote in the message, “To me, jobs in this industry feel like a bunch of little marriages. Some of em last for a long time if we’re lucky, but most of them are fleeting. Permanent until they’re not. That’s the deal. You know what it is it when you sign up.” Walker added, “Me and the show did three years together, and sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell. But we did what we made the most of what it was, even amidst all of the dysfunction. We made a f–ked up lil family.” Punkie Johnson reacted to Walker’s exit as well, writing, “Welcome back Dev. It’s fun outside baby… love u.” Meanwhile, Walker later addressed the fan response to his exit. Alongside a post on X that featured a photo of himself and Longfellow that read “ohh my boys … i wish you nothing but the best,” Walker quipped, “yall acting like we died lol we just getting different jobs.”

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During an interview with Puck News, Lorne Michaels confirmed that James Austin Johnson — who’s portrayed Donald Trump for the past four seasons on “SNL” — would be coming back for Season 51. Johnson, himself, has yet to comment.

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