Saturday Night Live is returning for its 52nd season on September 26 with a relatively modest cast refresh, according to E! Online. The NBC sketch comedy series will feature new featured players Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter, marking the addition of only two newcomers to Studio 8A.
The season opener will be hosted by New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson, with KATSEYE as the musical guest. The show sees the departure of cast member Chloe Fineman, who announced in July she was leaving after seven seasons. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fineman explained that her contract ended as she pursued an opportunity to join the Netflix series Myron Bolitar. “I’m genuinely really good friends with everybody, and I genuinely couldn’t love that job more,” Fineman told the publication, adding that she would remain in New York.
Also departing is Please Don’t Destroy’s Martin Herlihy, who joined the writing staff for season 51 after spending four years in viral SNL digital shorts.
Most of last season’s rookie cast members are returning for their sophomore years, including Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska. Additionally, Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline have been elevated to repertory players.
Long-standing cast members returning include Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Sarah Sherman, and Kenan Thompson, who is returning for his 23rd season.
Belo-Osagie, 29, first gained online popularity with viral sketches including “My impression of a yoga instructor with unrealistic expectations.” She is based in New York and appeared on the subway commentary series Subway Takes in 2024. Reiter, 25, hails from Wisconsin and has appeared on Tim Robinson’s HBO series The Chair Company and on TikTok’s live comedy series Stapleview.
Key facts
- SNL Season 52 premieres Sept. 26 with Jalen Brunson hosting
- Two new featured players join: Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter
- Chloe Fineman left after seven seasons to join Netflix’s Myron Bolitar
- Most rookie cast members from season 51 are returning
- Kenan Thompson returns for his 23rd season