SNL Shakes Up Cast with 5 New Faces After Brutal Exodus
Hello there, I’m Jordan Collins, your go-to guide for all things celebrity gossip. I suppose it’s time for me to break down the latest scoop on Saturday Night Live’s (SNL) new cast members. You probably should already know this, but I’ll fill you in anyway.
In a move that’s got everyone talking, SNL has introduced five new featured players ahead of its Season 51 premiere on October 4. This shakeup comes on the heels of a brutal cast exodus that saw four beloved stars depart suddenly. The new recruits are comedians Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska, who will all make their SNL debuts next month.
Let’s start with Brennan, who was selected as a Just for Laughs New Face of Comedy in 2023. He’s also performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, so he’s no stranger to the late-night comedy scene. Culhane, on the other hand, first gained popularity for his viral TikTok and social media videos. He’s a regular on Dropout TV and hails from Altadena, California.
Marshall is another newcomer who’s not entirely new to SNL. He joined the writing staff in 2021 and regularly appeared on-camera for segments with his hilarious comedy group, Please Don’t Destroy. As for Patterson, he’s from Orlando, Florida, and has regularly appeared on the live comedy podcast Kill Tony. He’ll also star alongside Kevin Hart in the upcoming Netflix comedy, 72 Hours.
Last but not least, there’s Slowikowska, who’s known for her viral sketch comedy content on both Instagram and TikTok. She’s previously made a name for herself in comedy shows like Tires on Netflix and the FX series What We Do in the Shadows.
Now, you might be wondering what prompted this cast shakeup. Well, it all started when Lorne Michaels, SNL’s creator, teased a cast change last month during an interview with Puck News. When asked if he planned to “shake things up” for the new season, Michaels simply responded, “Yes.” He didn’t mention any new featured players at the time, but promised that an announcement would be made “in a week or so.”
As it turns out, Michaels wasn’t kidding. The departures of Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow, and Heidi Gardner were confirmed shortly after. Walker, who was promoted to the main cast in 2024, was the first to confirm his exit. Wakim, who was an SNL newcomer and only appeared in a single season, quickly followed suit.
In a statement, Walker reflected on his time on SNL, saying, “Me and the show did three years together, and sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell. But we … made the most of what it was, even amidst all of the dysfunction. We made a f–ked up lil family.” Wakim also shared his thoughts, saying, “It 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.”
Longfellow also broke his silence on social media, writing, “Will 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.” Perhaps the most surprising departure, however, is Gardner, who’s been on the show for a record-breaking eight seasons. Although her exit was confirmed, she has yet to address the news herself.
As SNL prepares for its new season, fans are eager to see what the fresh faces will bring to the table. With a mix of established comedians and newcomers, the show is sure to deliver plenty of laughs and surprises. So, stay tuned for more updates on SNL’s Season 51, and get ready for a wild ride.
Glad I could fill you in on the latest SNL scoop.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and The New York Post
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
