The SNL Season 50 Cast: Everything To Know About The Massive 2024 Shake-Up, New Comedians, And Shocking Departures
Saturday Night Live's 50th season, which premiered on September 28, 2024, has been marked by one of the most significant cast shake-ups in recent memory. As the iconic sketch comedy show enters its milestone half-century, the roster has undergone a dramatic transformation, balancing the stability of veteran performers with the introduction of fresh comedic voices. This season is less about minor tweaks and more about a major changing of the guard, with several high-profile and unexpected departures creating headlines and paving the way for a new generation of talent.
The 2024-2025 season, under the continuous guidance of creator Lorne Michaels, sees a reduced but powerful lineup of repertory players alongside three brand-new featured players. The shift follows a string of surprising exits, including beloved stars like Bowen Yang, Heidi Gardner, and Ego Nwodim. This deep dive provides the most current, comprehensive look at the full SNL Season 50 cast, detailing who is returning to Studio 8H, who is stepping into the spotlight for the first time, and the major players who have said their farewells.
The Full Saturday Night Live Season 50 (2024-2025) Cast Roster
The 50th season of Saturday Night Live features a total of 17 cast members, split between 14 Repertory Players and three brand-new Featured Players. This roster is designed to carry the show through a critical election year and its historic anniversary.
Repertory Players (14)
These are the established veterans and mid-career stars who have been promoted from their initial featured status, forming the backbone of the current ensemble. Their experience provides the stability needed to anchor the show’s biggest sketches, political parodies, and recurring characters.
- Kenan Thompson: The longest-running cast member in SNL history, now in his 22nd season. His longevity and versatility make him the undisputed anchor of the show.
- Colin Jost: Co-Head Writer and co-anchor of "Weekend Update."
- Michael Che: Co-Head Writer and co-anchor of "Weekend Update."
- Mikey Day: Known for his impressions of political figures and his recurring "A.A. Meeting" character.
- Andrew Dismukes: A strong writer-performer whose quirky, deadpan characters have become a staple.
- Chloe Fineman: The show’s impressionist powerhouse, celebrated for her uncanny celebrity parodies.
- Marcello Hernández: Promoted to repertory status after quickly becoming a breakout star with his unique, charming style.
- James Austin Johnson: The current master of political impressions, most notably his highly accurate Donald Trump.
- Punkie Johnson: Returned for her fifth season, bringing her distinct, high-energy comedic voice.
- Sarah Sherman: The resident surreal and grotesque comedian, known for her disruptive "Weekend Update" appearances.
- Devon Walker: Promoted to repertory status, known for his laid-back, observational humor.
- Molly Kearney: Promoted to repertory status, known for their physical comedy and distinctive presence.
- Michael Longfellow: Promoted to repertory status, often featured in "Weekend Update" and various sketches.
- Please Don't Destroy (Ben Marshall, John Higgins, Martin Herlihy): The viral video trio who continue to deliver their signature digital shorts.
Featured Players (3)
These are the new additions for Season 50, stepping onto the legendary stage for the first time. They represent the show’s commitment to finding talent from diverse comedic backgrounds, including sketch, stand-up, and viral media.
- Ashley Padilla: A Groundlings alum, bringing a strong background in traditional sketch comedy and character work.
- Emil Wakim: A stand-up comedian with a sharp, observational style, a shift back toward hiring pure stand-up talent.
- Jane Wickline: A viral star who gained significant traction on TikTok, representing SNL’s continued effort to tap into digital comedy trends.
The Major 2024 Cast Departures That Reshaped SNL
The biggest story heading into Season 50 was the exodus of several major cast members, a shake-up that significantly altered the show's dynamic. These departures, some announced just before the premiere, created voids in the ensemble that the new and returning players must now fill. The loss of these veterans, who collectively held years of experience and popular recurring characters, marks the end of a comedic era.
Bowen Yang: The Mid-Season Shockwave
Bowen Yang’s exit was arguably the most surprising. The first Asian American cast member to be nominated for an Emmy, Yang was a critical darling and a fan favorite, known for his unique characters like the Iceberg Who Sank the Titanic and his sharp, cultural commentary on "Weekend Update." His departure, announced mid-season, was a massive blow to the cast's star power and creative energy. While the actor, who is also known for his work in the movie *Wicked*, did not provide a clear reason for his exit, he penned a heartfelt statement, suggesting the decision was a personal one and quashing conspiracy theories about backstage drama.
Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim: A Double Veteran Loss
The exits of Heidi Gardner and Ego Nwodim, both long-time repertory players, signaled a major shift in the female ensemble. Gardner, who joined in 2017, was renowned for her bizarre, meticulously crafted characters, such as the "Every Boxer’s Girlfriend" and the teen film critic "Baskin Jones." Nwodim, a master of impressions and a foundational player since 2018, was known for her consistent professionalism and memorable characters like the passive-aggressive talk show host "Lisa from Temecula." Their departures, which were reportedly accompanied by a tearful, candid conversation between the two about the "challenging" workplace dynamic, leave a significant gap in the show's character-driven comedy.
The Other Season 49 Exits
In addition to the high-profile stars, the show also saw the departures of several other talented players before the Season 50 premiere, further emphasizing the size of the shake-up. These included Chloe Troast, who was a featured player in Season 49, as well as Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney, who had also been key members of the ensemble in recent years. This mass turnover is a clear sign of Lorne Michaels’ strategy to refresh the show’s talent pool for its next major chapter.
The New Faces of Season 50: Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline
To fill the void left by the veterans, Lorne Michaels and the SNL team recruited three comedians from diverse and modern comedy backgrounds. These new featured players are the future of the show, bringing fresh perspectives and comedic styles to Studio 8H.
Ashley Padilla: The Sketch Comedy Pedigree
Ashley Padilla comes to SNL with a strong foundation in traditional sketch comedy, having been an alum of the prestigious Groundlings comedy troupe in Los Angeles. The Groundlings is a revered training ground that has produced countless SNL stars, including Will Ferrell, Kristen Wiig, and Maya Rudolph. Padilla’s hiring indicates a return to the show’s roots of deep character work and ensemble-based sketch performance.
Emil Wakim: The Stand-Up Specialist
Emil Wakim’s addition is a nod to the show’s history of recruiting polished stand-up comedians. Wakim has built a reputation on the stand-up circuit with a sharp, observational style of humor. His background suggests he will be a strong asset in "Weekend Update" segments and sketches that require a grounded, quick-witted presence.
Jane Wickline: The Viral TikTok Star
Jane Wickline represents the show’s modern recruitment strategy, having achieved viral fame as a TikTok comedian. Her success on the platform demonstrates an ability to connect with a younger, digitally native audience through short-form, high-impact comedy. Her transition to the live, long-form world of SNL will be one of the most interesting storylines of Season 50.
The Veterans: Kenan, Che, Jost, and the New Guard
While the departures are significant, the show retains a formidable core of veteran talent, ensuring continuity and a high level of performance. This group of established players is responsible for mentoring the new featured players and carrying the show’s most recognizable segments.
- Kenan Thompson’s Unstoppable Reign: Kenan Thompson continues his record-breaking run, providing an invaluable presence as a versatile utility player and impressionist. His ability to play any role, from a game show host to a frustrated father, makes him the most reliable cast member in the show's history.
- The "Weekend Update" Dynasty: Colin Jost and Michael Che remain the co-anchors of "Weekend Update," extending their run as one of the longest-serving duos in the segment's history. Their unique chemistry, political satire, and willingness to push boundaries remain a cornerstone of the show's format.
- The Impression Masters: James Austin Johnson and Chloe Fineman are the current leaders in celebrity impressions. Johnson’s spot-on, rambling Donald Trump and Fineman’s uncanny ability to embody stars from Timothée Chalamet to Jennifer Coolidge are essential for the show’s political and pop culture relevance.
- The Rising Stars: Repertory players like Mikey Day, who continues to evolve his political impressions, and Marcello Hernández, who has quickly become a fan favorite with his charming, unique sketches, represent the next generation of SNL mainstays.
The Saturday Night Live Season 50 cast is a study in transition. The shocking exits of major stars have created both a challenge and an opportunity, clearing the stage for new voices from Groundlings, stand-up, and TikTok to define the next chapter of the legendary sketch show. As the show celebrates its golden anniversary, the focus will be on how this new, energized ensemble finds its comedic footing and delivers the fresh, topical humor that fans expect.
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