Old School. Biblically Independent.
By Dustin Rowles | News | September 8, 2025
Lorne Michaels gave a rare interview to Puck’s Matt Belloni a few weeks ago, and in his write-up, Belloni — the powerful trade reporter who recently played himself in an episode of Seth Rogen’s The Studio — suggested that Michaels would “reinvent” SNL this season and promised a “significant shake-up, with several current castmembers expected to exit.” (I’m reluctant to call Belloni this generation’s Nikki Finke because Belloni is well-liked, but he certainly wields that kind of power.)
I mean, yes: Four castmembers ultimately exited — Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow, and Heidi Gardner (whose contract was reportedly not renewed) — but that’s hardly atypical of an SNL summer. Eight castmembers left after season 47. That was an exodus. Four departures is just what usually happens. Harder to believe is that Michaels also added five new castmembers to replace the four leaving, actually increasing the size of an already overstuffed cast where everyone is fighting for screentime.
It’s not going to get any easier. And officially, the season 51 cast is now set. Everyone else is returning. Yes, Michael Che and Colin Jost will be back behind the “Weekend Update” desk (proving yet again that no one should ever believe Che when it comes to his constant threats to quit the series). Kenan Thompson will return for a record 23rd season.
Longtime veterans — Bowen Yang, Ego Nwodim, Chloe Fineman, and Mikey Day — will once again be back, along with a few castmembers now hitting their peaks: Sarah Sherman, James Austin Johnson, Marcello Hernández, and — as reluctant as I am to admit it — Andrew Dismukes, who I really did think would be the show’s next Brooks Wheelan/Jon Rudnitsky/Paul Brittain (he’s proven to be surprisingly versatile — he can play both dorky white guy and douchebag white guy!).
Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline survived their freshman seasons and will be joined by newcomers Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska. Finally, Ben Marshall moves from Please Don’t Destroy into the main cast (and Please Don’t Destroy will no longer appear on the series).
Season 51 kicks off on October 5. No hosts or musical guests have yet been named, but there are plenty of suggestions, including John Cena (Peacemaker) and Dwayne Johnson (The Smashing Machine). My early money is on Ariana Grande, one of the stronger recurring hosts of late, or Nate Bargatze coming off his Emmy hosting stint. I also wouldn’t mind seeing them open the season with Tina, Maya, Amy, or Seth. Or all four!
