On September 2, 2025, NBC announced that Saturday Night Live will welcome five new featured players to its cast ahead of the show’s 51st season, premiering October 4, 2025 on NBC and Peacock. This significant roster update arrives in the wake of several high-profile departures.
The newcomers are: Ben Marshall, Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska. Their addition comes as longtime cast members Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim exit the show.
Meet the New Cast Members
Ben Marshall
Marshall already has ties to SNL: he has been on the writing staff since 2021 and has appeared on-camera in Please Don’t Destroy sketches. Born in Savannah, Georgia, Marshall will be promoted from writer to featured player, bringing comedic chops developed in both sketch and short-form formats.
Tommy Brennan
A stand-up comedian from Saint Paul, Minnesota, Brennan was named a “Just for Laughs New Face of Comedy” in 2023 and has appeared on The Tonight Show. Brennan holds a degree in accounting from Notre Dame and previously balanced office work and open mic gigs before leaning fully into comedy.
Jeremy Culhane
Culhane is known for his viral TikTok persona and prior performance with the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles. From Altadena, California, he also has credits on series like American Vandal and The Sex Lives of College Girls.
Kam Patterson
A regular on the Kill Tony comedy podcast, Patterson blends stand-up energy with a rising television profile. He is also slated to appear in the upcoming Netflix film 72 Hours. Originally from Orlando, Florida, Patterson relocated to Austin, Texas, where his work on Kill Tony helped elevate his status in comedy circles.
Veronika Slowikowska
A Canadian sketch comedian and actor, Slowikowska has amassed a following through viral content on Instagram and TikTok. Her acting credits include roles on What We Do in the Shadows and in Tires. She was born in Barrie, Ontario.
What This Means for SNL Season 51
With these hires, SNL signals a deliberate pivot toward fresh voices while preserving show continuity. Creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels previously hinted that cast turnover would follow the 50th season’s celebratory run. Meanwhile, a number of veteran performers are set to return, including Kenan Thompson, Colin Jost, Michael Che, Bowen Yang, Mikey Day, and others. James Austin Johnson will also remain in his key role impersonating Donald Trump.
As the show strives to balance legacy and reinvention, audiences will be watching how these new cast members find their footing. Their debut season begins October 4, live from Studio 8H in New York, with Bad Bunny hosting the premiere and Doja Cat as musical guest.
