SNL Cast 2026: Full Current Cast and New Members Season 51
Saturday Night Live Season 51 (2025-2026) features 17 cast members blending veteran performers fresh faces. Repertory players Michael Che Colin Jost anchor Weekend Update alongside Mikey Day Kenan Thompson. Five new featured players join established ensemble delivering consistent ratings NBC late-night staple.
Who Is in the Current SNL Cast?
Season 51 roster balances experience emerging talent. Repertory players form sketch comedy backbone Weekend Update anchors provide political satire continuity. Featured players compete promotion through standout characters viral sketches.
| Type | Cast Member | Years Active | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Repertory | Michael Che | 2014-present | Weekend Update |
| Repertory | Colin Jost | 2014-present | Weekend Update |
| Repertory | Mikey Day | 2016-present | Impressions |
| Repertory | Andrew Dismukes | 2021-present | Stand-up |
| Repertory | Chloe Fineman | 2019-present | Impressions |
New Cast Members This Season
Season 51 welcomes five featured players Tommy Brennan Jeremy Culhane Ben Marshall Ashley Padilla Kam Patterson. Jane Wickline Veronika Slowikowska round newcomers competing repertory promotion. Recent departures Molly Kearney Punkie Johnson Chloe Troast Emil Wakim Devon Walker create opportunities fresh talent.
- Tommy Brennan: Stand-up comic viral TikTok sketches joins featured player
- Jane Wickline: TikTok star digital short specialist Weekend Update contributor
- Ashley Padilla: Second season proves impressions musical characters
- Kam Patterson: First season musical comedy background brings fresh energy
Popular Returning Cast Members
Kenan Thompson (23 seasons) longest-tenured performer versatile sketches Weekend Update anchor. James Austin Johnson dominates political impressions Donald Trump Joe Biden mastered. Sarah Sherman experimental sketches cult TikTok following. Bowen Yang final episodes before December 2025 departure film projects.
| Cast Member | Seasons | Signature Characters |
|---|---|---|
| Kenan Thompson | 23 | Weekend Update, French Chef |
| James Austin Johnson | 5 | Trump, Biden, Elon Musk |
| Marcello Hernández | 4 | Latin music star, Weekend Update |
| Sarah Sherman | 4 | Surreal sketches, experimental comedy |
Recent Cast Changes & Departures
Bowen Yang exits December 20 2025 episode film television projects. Devon Walker three seasons announced departure citing “toxic” environment. Emil Wakim one season featured player leaves. Molly Kearney Punkie Johnson Chloe Troast Season 50 non-renewals reshape ensemble dynamics.
January 2026 Episode Highlights
Finn Wolfhard hosts A$AP Rocky musical guest January 17 kickstarts post-holiday run. Season 51 ratings steady strong streaming Peacock digital clips drive younger demographics. Cast versatility handles political satire celebrity impressions musical numbers seamlessly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who SNL cast 2026 Season 51?
Michael Che Colin Jost Weekend Update Mikey Day Kenan Thompson repertory players five new featured Tommy Brennan Jane Wickline Ashley Padilla.
New SNL cast members 2026?
Tommy Brennan Jeremy Culhane Ben Marshall Ashley Padilla Kam Patterson Jane Wickline Veronika Slowikowska join Season 51.
Kenan Thompson leaving SNL?
No—enters 23rd season longest-tenured cast member anchors Weekend Update sketches.
SNL Season 51 premiere date?
September 28 2025 ongoing weekly Saturdays NBC Peacock streaming.
SNL Season 51 cast masterfully blends veteran reliability fresh energy navigating post-election political comedy celebrity impressions viral digital content. Newcomers challenge repertory status established stars maintain quality consistency live television demands.
Updated January 18, 2026 12:30 PM IST. Season 51 ongoing.
