Saturday Night Live is returning for its 52nd season on September 26 with minimal cast changes, according to E! Online. The NBC series will premiere with New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson hosting and KATSEYE as musical guest.
The most significant departure is cast member Chloe Fineman, who announced in July that she was leaving after seven seasons. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Fineman explained that her contract ended as an opportunity to join the Netflix series Myron Bolitar came her way. “I’m genuinely really good friends with everybody, and I genuinely couldn’t love that job more,” she said, adding that she would remain in New York.
Also departing is Martin Herlihy from Please Don’t Destroy, who joined the writing staff for season 51 after spending four years starring in viral SNL digital shorts alongside John Higgins and Ben Marshall.
The new additions to the cast include featured players Saidah Belo-Osagie, 29, and Grace Reiter, 25. Belo-Osagie gained a following online with viral sketches including “My impression of a yoga instructor with unrealistic expectations” and is a local star in New York. Reiter is from Wisconsin and has appeared on Tim Robinson’s HBO series The Chair Company and TikTok’s live comedy series Stapleview.
Most of last season’s rookies are returning for their sophomore years, including Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska. Ben Marshall is in his second season as a featured player. Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline have been elevated to repertory players.
Returning veterans 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. According to SNL creator Lorne Michaels, cast shake-ups are important for how the show “revives itself,” though this year’s changes appear relatively modest compared to previous seasons.
Key facts
- SNL season 52 premieres September 26 with Jalen Brunson hosting and KATSEYE as musical guest
- Chloe Fineman is departing after seven seasons to join Netflix’s Myron Bolitar
- Two new featured players—Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter—are joining the cast
- Most rookies from season 51 are returning, with Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline elevated to repertory status
- Kenan Thompson returns for his 23rd season