Studio 8H is ready for new laughs.<\/p>\n
Ahead of the Season 51 premiere of \u201cSaturday Night Live,\u201d a slew of cast members have departed<\/a> the sketch comedy series.<\/p>\n Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow, and Heidi Gardner are not returning to the late-night show.<\/p>\n \u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d Studio 8H. TheShopAtNBC\/X<\/p>\n However, as the show gears up for its premiere, \u201cSNL\u201d has added five new faces to the mix.<\/a><\/p>\n NBC announced that comedians Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson\u00a0and Veronika Slowikowska will all make their debuts on the sketch comedy show next month.<\/p>\n Season 51 airs on Saturday, Oct. 4, on NBC at 11:30 ET.<\/p>\n Andrew Dismukes, Michael Longfellow, Mikey Day, and Walton Goggins as Matt during the \u201cThe Second Amendment\u201d sketch on Saturday, May, 10 2025. Will Heath\/NBC<\/p>\n Keep reading for all the stars who have left, joined, or are returning to \u201cSNL\u201d ahead of the upcoming run.<\/p>\n Heidi Gardner <\/p>\n The comedian, 42, is exiting \u201cSNL\u201d after eight years<\/a> on the show.<\/p>\n Gardner\u2019s contract with \u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d was not renewed,\u00a0<\/a>an insider told The Post<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s time for a new cast,\u201d the insider said.<\/p>\n Heidi Gardner as Dana Bash and Michael Longfellow as Gov. Gavin Newsom. Will Heath\/NBC via Getty Images<\/p>\n Emil Wakim, Jane Wickline, Ashley Padilla, Michael Longfellow, Heidi Gardner, Bowen Yang, host Scarlett Johansson, James Austin Johnson, Ego Nwodim, Sarah Sherman, Marcello Hern\u00e1ndez, Andrew Dismukes, Kenan Thompson, Devon Walker, and Mikey Day during the monologue on Saturday, May 17, 2025. Will Heath\/NBC via Getty Images<\/p>\n Gardner has yet to publicly address her departure.<\/p>\n The actress was the longest-tenured woman on the show as of last season. <\/p>\n She first joined the Lorne Michaels-created show during Season 43 as a featured player.<\/p>\n Heidi Gardner at The Television Academy in North Hollywood. Todd Williamson\/NBC via Getty Images<\/p>\n Gardner was promoted to the main cast in 2019.<\/p>\n Some of the star\u2019s most memorable characters appeared on \u201cWeekend Update,\u201d including Bailey Gismert, a teen movie critic, and Angel, \u201cevery boxer\u2019s girlfriend from every movie about boxing ever.\u201d<\/p>\n In recent years, Gardner has branched out to acting, starring as Grace in the Apple TV+ show \u201cShrinking.\u201d<\/p>\n Heidi Gardner and Michael Longfellow during the \u201cEdible Arrangements.\u201d Holland Rainwater\/NBC via Getty Images<\/p>\n The comedian had previously hinted about possibly stepping back from \u201cSNL.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI will say, the only thing that I\u2019ve started to feel a little bit is just sketch fatigue, or idea fatigue,\u201d she detailed while on Craig Ferguson\u2019s podcast, \u201cJoy.\u201d \u201cAt this point, after doing Groundlings and\u00a0\u2018SNL\u2019\u00a0for so long, I\u2019m like, \u2018I\u2019ve written a lot of sketches.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n Michael Longfellow<\/p>\n Longfellow, 31, who joined the show in Season 48, won\u2019t be back for Season 51, either.<\/p>\n After news broke, the comic published a farewell message<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cWill not be returning for a 4th season at SNL. Wish I was but, so it goes. 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,\u201d Longfellow began on Instagram<\/a>.<\/p>\n Emil Wakim, Devon Walker and Michael Longfellow. Evan Agostini\/Invision\/AP<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ll miss it all, but I\u2019ll miss the friends I made and seeing them everyday the most,\u201d concluded the star. \u201cExcited 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.\u201d<\/p>\n Longfellow said he found out<\/a> he wasn\u2019t asked back while at a Utah airport, telling the Daily Beast<\/a>, he was waiting to board a flight when his agent called with the news.\u00a0<\/p>\n The outlet reported that Michaels, 80, was not on the call.<\/p>\n Michael Longfellow and anchor Colin Jost during Weekend Update. Will Heath\/NBC via Getty Images<\/p>\n Devon Walker<\/p>\n It was revealed last month that Walker, 34, would not return to \u201cSNL\u201d after three seasons. He penned a long message reminiscing about his time on the show.<\/p>\n Walker shared a selfie to Instagram <\/a>in front of a screen that said \u201cSaturday Night Live,\u201d a text message he wrote that read \u201cI\u2019m out\u201d with a celebratory emoji, a picture of himself on the sketch comedy set and a shot of Joe Biden stomping the ground.<\/p>\n \u201cTo me, jobs in this industry feel like a bunch of little marriages,\u201d he said in a personal note shared in the carousel. \u201cSome of em last for a long time if we\u2019re lucky, but most of them are fleeting. Permanent until they\u2019re not. That\u2019s the deal. You know what it is\u2026 when you sign up.\u201d<\/p>\n Devon Walker attends the SNL50: The Anniversary Special. WireImage<\/p>\n \u201cMe and the show did three years together, and sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes\u00a0it was toxic as hell<\/a>,\u201d Walker continued. \u201cBut we did what we made the most of what it was, even amidst all of the dysfunction. We made a f\u2013ked up lil family.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cMore than anything, I\u2019m just really happy I got to do it with Gary and Alex. N\u2014\u2013 really went from running a bar show to working together at 30 rock! It\u2019s a beautiful thing. Also I look caked up in that picture and I feel like it\u2019s important for people to know what I got going on.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cAnyway, I\u2019m bout to go to Japan. When I get back I\u2019m tryna be in a prestige drama. Ideally something with Julianne Moore. Hope y\u2019all staying hydrated and getting some money today,\u201d concluded the \u201cSNL\u201d alum.<\/p>\n Kenan Thompson as Bernard and Devon Walker as Young Spicy. Will Heath\/NBC via Getty Images<\/p>\n After news broke, fans took to social media to react to the shakeup<\/a>.<\/p>\n One viewer wrote about Walker and Longfellow\u00a0on\u00a0X<\/a>: \u201cohhh my boys @internetdevon @Longfellowww i wish you both nothing but the best.\u201d<\/p>\n Walker reposted the comment\u00a0and\u00a0responded<\/a>, \u201cyall acting like we died lol we just getting different jobs.\u201d<\/p>\n Emil Wakim<\/p>\n Wakim, 27, is making his exit after one season.<\/p>\n \u201cI won\u2019t be returning to snl next year,\u201d he began in\u00a0an Instagram post<\/a>\u00a0published late last month. \u201cIt was a gut punch of a call to get but i\u2019m so grateful for my time there.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cEvery time i scanned into the building i would think how insane it is to get to work there,\u201d he continued. \u201cIt 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.\u201d<\/p>\n James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump and Emil Wakim as Crown Prince. Will Heath\/NBC<\/p>\n \u201cI was so lucky to bring some of myself in there and say things i believed in and i\u2019m excited for whatever chapter comes next,\u201d the comedian concluded. \u201cHere\u2019s to making more art without compromise.\u201d<\/p>\n Wakim joined \u201cSNL\u201d during its milestone 50th season<\/a>\u00a0alongside fellow newcomers Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline.<\/p>\n Shortly before Wakim\u2019s announcement, Michaels\u00a0hinted there would be major cast changes<\/a> ahead of the new season.<\/p>\n Emil Wakim attends the afterparty for the Tribeca Festival Premiere of Max\u2019s \u201cHannah Einbinder: Everything Must Go.\u201d Getty Images for Max<\/p>\n The producer replied \u201cyes\u201d when asked if he plans to \u201cshake things up\u201d with a new cast during an interview with Puck News.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019ll be announced in a week or so,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Veronika Slowikowska<\/p>\n The Canadian actress, 29, is best known for her online comedy sketches with her partner Kyle Chase.<\/p>\n Slowikowska has appeared in Shane Gillis\u2019 comedy \u201cTires\u201d and the show \u201cWhat We Do in the Shadows.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cDream come true \ud83e\udd72 see you Saturdays\u00a0@nbcsnl,\u201d she penned on Instagram<\/a> after the news broke.<\/p>\n Veronika Slowikowska is a Canadian born actress and comedian. Cobey Arner<\/p>\n Jeremy Culhane<\/p>\n Culhane hails from Altadena, Calif.<\/p>\n The actor, 33, first rose to popularity with his viral TikTok videos, garnering over 40 million views. He also stars as a regular on Dropout TV.<\/p>\n \u201cHoly s\u2013t I think.\u00a0@nbcsnl,\u201d he cheekily captioned a photo <\/a>announcing his latest gig.<\/p>\n Jeremy Culhane serves as a regular Dropout TV. Ellyn Jameson<\/p>\n He has also appeared in \u201cThe Sex Lives of College Girls\u201d and \u201cAmerican Vandal.\u201d<\/p>\n Kam Patterson<\/p>\n The 26-year-old comedian will also be joining \u201cSaturday Night Live\u201d for Season 51.<\/p>\n Patterson is best known for his stand-up comedy and his role on Tony Hinchcliffe\u2019s \u201cKill Tony\u201d podcast.<\/p>\n Kam Patterson smiles in a portrait ahead of his \u201cSNL\u201d debut. Jim Cambridge<\/p>\n \u201cMonday nights changed my life \ud83d\udcab let\u2019s see how i do on Saturdays \ud83e\udee1\u00a0@nbcsnl,\u201d he wrote on social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n Patterson is also slated to appear in Kevin Hart\u2019s upcoming movie \u201c72 Hours.\u201d <\/p>\n Tommy Brennan<\/p>\n Before landing a slot on Season 51 of \u201cSNL,\u201d Brennan was selected as a Just for\u00a0Laughs New Face of Comedy in 2023.<\/p>\n The comic has also performed on \u201cThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon\u201d and did improv at the iconic Second City. <\/p>\n Tommy Brennan poses for a headshot. Juliet Farmer<\/p>\n Throughout his career, he has opened for Nikki Glaser and Taylor Tomlinson.<\/p>\n \u201cThis doesn\u2019t feel real, but we\u2019ll see you guys on Saturdays!\u00a0@nbcsnl,\u201d he wrote on Instagram.<\/a><\/p>\n Ben Marshall<\/p>\n Marshall, 30, has been a writer on \u201cSNL\u201d for four seasons and has now been upped to a main cast member.<\/p>\n After joining the writing staff in 2021, he regularly appeared on-camera with his Please Don\u2019t Destroy co-members<\/a> (PDD).<\/p>\n Ben Marshall is one third of Please Don\u2019t Destroy. Andrew Thomas<\/p>\n \u201cI love these boys so much,\u201d he wrote alongside pictures<\/a> of PDD. \u201cI couldn\u2019t be more grateful to have gotten into this business with my two best friends. Getting to write for SNL together and make our own videos for the show was beyond our wildest dreams- and I\u2019m so proud of everything we\u2019ve made so far. This is a new chapter, but we\u2019re not going to stop working together anytime soon. Thanks to anyone who has watched our videos, watched our movie, or seen us on tour. It means the world. PDD 4 ever.\u201d<\/p>\n Colin Jost<\/p>\n Scarlett Johansson confirmed that her husband, Colin Jost, would be returning to \u201cSNL\u201d for Season 51<\/a> while promoting her directorial debut, \u201cEleanor the Great,\u201d at the\u00a0Toronto International Film Festival\u00a0on Sunday, Sept. 7.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019s going back to work,\u201d the actress, 40, told\u00a0Entertainment Weekly<\/a>.<\/p>\n Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson at \u201cSNL50: The Anniversary Special\u201d in February. Getty Images<\/p>\n However, Johansson couldn\u2019t confirm whether she\u2019ll be involved in another iconic\u00a0\u201cWeekend Update\u201d joke swap segment<\/a>\u00a0with her husband and Michael Che.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s basically the MO over at 30 Rock is that everything is like moments before,\u201d she explained. \u201cIt\u2019s usually like Friday night before the Saturday show.\u201d<\/p>\n \u2018SNL\u2019 Season 51 finalizes cast<\/p>\n The \u201cSNL\u201d Season 50 cast. Mary Ellen Matthews\/NBC via Getty Images<\/p>\n \u201cSNL\u201d finalized the cast for Season 51 on Monday, Sept. 8, and a handful of fan-favorites were confirmed to be returning<\/a> to Studio 8H for its Oct. 4 premiere.<\/p>\n Bowen Yang, Ego Nwodim and Chloe Fineman are coming back, while Kenan Thompson will also return for a record-breaking 23rd season on the NBC sketch comedy series.<\/p>\n Jost and Che would retake their seats behind the \u201cWeekend Update\u201d desk for their 12th year reading the news together, too.<\/p>\n Other stars slated to come back when the new season kicks off include Mikey Day, Sarah Sherman, Marcello Hern\u00e1ndez, Andrew Dismukes and James Austin Johnson, as well as Season 50 newcomers Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t