Fifty years. It's kinda wild to think about, right? Most shows don't make it to season five, let alone fifty. But here we are, and the SNL season 50 cast is officially carrying the torch for the biggest anniversary in late-night history. Honestly, there’s a lot of noise about who’s in and who’s out, and if you’ve been following the headlines, you might be a little confused.
Lorne Michaels didn't just go for a "greatest hits" vibe. He’s balancing the old guard with some very fresh faces. You've got Kenan Thompson, basically the human equivalent of the show's foundation at this point, entering his 22nd season. Then you have the newbies. It’s a weird, chaotic mix that somehow works.
Who’s New and Who’s Moving Up?
Every year, the "Featured Players" section of the credits feels like a high-stakes audition. This year, three names were added to the roster. If you’re a fan of the Groundlings or spent too much time on TikTok lately, you might recognize them.
- Ashley Padilla: Hailing from the Bay Area, she’s a Groundlings Main Company alum. That’s a massive deal because that’s the same pipeline that gave us Kristen Wiig and Will Ferrell.
- Emil Wakim: A stand-up comic who actually made his debut on The Tonight Show back in 2022. He brings a very sharp, observational energy to the stage.
- Jane Wickline: You might know her from the TikTok live show "Stapleview." She’s got this deadpan, surrealist style that feels perfect for the 12:50 a.m. sketches.
But it’s not just about the new kids. Three favorites finally got the "promotion" to the main stage. Marcello Hernández, Michael Longfellow, and Devon Walker are now officially Repertory Players. It’s basically the SNL version of getting tenure. They’ve survived the two-year trial period and now they’re the faces you’ll see in the opening credits every single week.
The Massive Political Cameos
Look, it’s an election year (well, the tail end of a very long one). You can’t talk about the SNL season 50 cast without talking about the guests. For a while, people were wondering who would play the big political figures.
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Maya Rudolph is back as Kamala Harris. That was a no-brainer. But then they threw some curveballs. Jim Gaffigan stepped in as Tim Walz, and Andy Samberg returned to play Doug Emhoff. The biggest surprise for most of us? Dana Carvey coming back to play Joe Biden. Watching Carvey and Samberg riffing in the cold opens has been a highlight, even if it feels a little bit like a high school reunion at times.
James Austin Johnson is still the heavy lifter here, though. His Donald Trump impression is widely considered one of the best the show has ever had because it’s so specific. He doesn't just do the voice; he does the rambling, "weaving" logic perfectly.
Who We Lost (And Why It Matters)
It wasn't all celebrations. Before the season started, we had some pretty significant departures. Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney both decided to move on. Punkie had been there for four seasons and was a reliable presence, while Molly was the show’s first non-binary cast member.
The one that really stung for a lot of fans was Chloe Troast. She was a breakout star in season 49, especially with her singing chops. She posted on Instagram that she wasn't asked back, which honestly surprised a lot of people in the comedy world. It’s a reminder that no matter how much the fans love you, the 17th floor of 30 Rock has its own math.
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The Full Season 50 Lineup
If you need the quick rundown of who is actually in the building every Saturday night, here is the current breakdown of the SNL season 50 cast.
Repertory Players (The Main Stars):
Michael Che and Colin Jost are still behind the Weekend Update desk. Joining them in the main credits are Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, James Austin Johnson, Ego Nwodim, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, and Bowen Yang. And as mentioned, Marcello Hernández, Michael Longfellow, and Devon Walker have joined this top tier.
Featured Players (The New Guard):
This is where the newer talent sits. Along with the three new additions—Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline—you still have the Please Don't Destroy trio (Ben Marshall, John Higgins, and Martin Herlihy) making their digital shorts.
Why This Mix is Controversial
Some critics say the show relies too much on "stunt casting" with people like Alec Baldwin or Dana Carvey. The argument is that it takes screen time away from the actual SNL season 50 cast members who are trying to build their own characters.
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On the other hand, the ratings for these star-studded cold opens are massive. Lorne Michaels has always been a "give the people what they want" kind of producer. If having Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg on screen gets people talking on Sunday morning, he’s going to do it.
What’s Next for the 50th Anniversary?
The season is building toward a massive three-hour primetime special in February 2026. You can bet almost every living former cast member will be there. We’ve already seen cameos from folks like David Spade, Chris Rock, and even Mike Myers (who showed up as Elon Musk recently).
If you’re trying to keep up with the show this year, the best way is to watch the full episodes on Peacock. The YouTube clips are great, but you miss the weird, experimental sketches that don't always go viral but often define what the show is actually about.
Pay close attention to the new featured players in the "10-to-1" slot (the very last sketch of the night). That’s usually where Jane Wickline and Emil Wakim get to show off their weirdest ideas. It’s often the best part of the show if you like alternative comedy.
Keep an eye on these specific moves to stay updated:
- Check the official SNL social media accounts on Thursdays for the "host/musical guest" card reveal.
- Watch for "Cut for Time" sketches on the SNL YouTube channel on Sunday mornings; often the best work from new cast members ends up there.
- Mark your calendar for the 50th Anniversary Special on February 16—it’s going to be the biggest TV event of the year for comedy fans.