“Saturday Night Live” is gearing up for a new era. The iconic NBC sketch show just revealed that five new performers are joining the cast as featured players for the upcoming 51st season: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska. The new season premieres October 4 at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT, airing live on NBC and streaming simultaneously on Peacock.
This shake-up comes after four cast departures were confirmed in August, with Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim exiting. But as history shows, SNL thrives on reinvention. With a fresh crop of talent and proven fanbases, the show is ready to launch its next breakout stars.
© NBCA Ratings Powerhouse
Heading into Season 51, “Saturday Night Live” remains a force. It finished the 2024-25 season as the #1 broadcast entertainment series in the coveted 18-49 demo, cementing its reputation as both a pop culture machine and a live television event that still drives conversation.
Produced in association with Broadway Video, SNL continues to be helmed by its legendary creator and executive producer, Lorne Michaels, who has overseen the show since its debut in 1975.
Meet the New SNL Cast
Here’s who’s stepping onto the Studio 8H stage this fall:
Tommy Brennan
© Juliet FarmerTommy Brennan kicks off his first season as a featured player. A Saint Paul, Minnesota native, he was named a Just for Laughs New Face of Comedy in 2023 and has already made his mark with a set on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon." Known for his sharp stand-up and unmistakable Midwest charm, Brennan is a rising talent to watch.
Jeremy Culhane
© Ellyn JamesonJeremy Culhane has already built a viral presence through his sketches on TikTok and regular performances on Dropout TV. An active member of the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles, Culhane continues to hone his improv skills while appearing in shows like "The Sex Lives of College Girls and Heathers."
Ben Marshall
© Andrew ThomasSNL audiences already know Ben Marshall as part of the "Please Don’t Destroy" trio, whose surreal sketches have become a fan favorite. Since joining the writing staff in 2021, Marshall has smoothly shifted to on-screen roles and now takes his place in the official cast.
Kam Patterson
© Jim CambridgeKam Patterson has made a name for himself with sharp stand-up sets and appearances on the live podcast "Kill Tony." Soon, he’ll co-star in the upcoming Netflix comedy "72 Hours" alongside Kevin Hart. With roots in live performance and quick adaptability, Patterson is primed for SNL’s fast-paced stage.
Veronika Slowikowska
© Cobey ArnerVeronika Slowikowska has cultivated a dedicated following with her sketch comedy on TikTok and Instagram, drawing in hundreds of thousands of fans. On television, she’s appeared in "Tires" and the cult hit "What We Do in the Shadows."
What This Means for SNL
The new lineup reflects that comedy is thriving on online platforms, stand-up stages, and collaborative troupes. By pulling talent directly from TikTok, podcasts, and live comedy circuits, SNL is once again tapping into the next generation of cultural tastemakers.
For viewers, this means Season 51 is poised to feel fresh, experimental, and plugged into the ways audiences discover comedy today. Expect sketches that pull from internet humor, pop culture absurdity, and the unique voices these five bring to the table.
