Saturday Night Live is officially entering a new era, and the latest cast shake-up has fans buzzing with anticipation. After a 50th season filled with milestone specials like SNL50: The Homecoming Concert and SNL 50: The Anniversary Celebration, the iconic late-night show is making bold moves to reshape its lineup. With beloved veteran Heidi Gardner departing after eight standout seasons and several newer players also exiting, creator Lorne Michaels wasted no time in welcoming five dynamic new comedians who are ready to take Studio 8H by storm. The big question: who are these rising stars, and what kind of comedy magic are they about to bring to SNL?
Ben Marshall – From Digital Shorts to Center Stage
Ben Marshall might be new as a featured player, but longtime SNL fans already know his work. Since 2021, he’s been part of the comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy, whose viral digital shorts gave SNL the same kind of spark that The Lonely Island once did. With Martin Herlihy and John Higgins, Marshall delivered sketches like the fan-favorite “Roast” with Dakota Johnson, proving he has the chops to make audiences laugh both online and on live TV. Now he’s stepping into the spotlight solo. Standing tall with his fiery red hair and armed with four years of experience behind the scenes, Marshall is ready to prove he’s more than just a digital star—he’s here to make his mark in front of the camera.
Veronika Slowikowska – The Social Media Powerhouse
If you’re scrolling through TikTok or Instagram, chances are you’ve already stumbled upon Veronika Slowikowska’s hilarious, offbeat sketches. With over a million followers across platforms, she’s already built a loyal fanbase before even stepping onto the SNL stage. But her comedy isn’t confined to social media. She’s appeared in What We Do in the Shadows and Netflix’s Tires, showcasing range that blends absurdist humor with genuine acting talent. With a background in live performance at venues like the Gramercy Theater, Slowikowska is set to bring Gen Z energy, sharp comedic instincts, and even musical comedy flair reminiscent of past stars like Cecily Strong.
Tommy Brennan – The Standup Storyteller with Heart
Hailing from St. Paul, Minnesota, Tommy Brennan brings a standup comic’s punch to the SNL roster. A familiar face on the comedy circuit, Brennan made his late-night debut on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, where his witty set about growing up as one of eight siblings quickly won laughs. With credits that include performing at Just For Laughs and opening for names like Nikki Glaser and Taylor Tomlinson, he’s a rising comic with real momentum. Known for his love of bold fashion and his viral series Roommates in Law, Brennan is poised to connect with audiences through a mix of relatable storytelling and sharp humor.
Kam Patterson – The Crowd Work Prodigy
Kam Patterson is no stranger to going viral. With nearly a million followers across Instagram and TikTok, the 26-year-old Orlando native has carved out a unique space in comedy with razor-sharp crowd work and fearless standup. A regular on the podcast Kill Tony, Patterson has already gained recognition as a bold performer who knows how to hold a room. And now he’s heading to an even bigger stage, fresh off filming 72 Hours, a Netflix comedy starring Kevin Hart. Patterson’s charisma, energy, and unpredictable style could make him one of SNL’s breakout stars this season.
Jeremy Culhane – The Internet Sketch Wizard
While Jeremy Culhane might not have the massive social media numbers of his fellow new hires, he brings something equally valuable: a proven knack for sketch comedy that thrives both online and onstage. With roots in CollegeHumor’s DropoutTV, he’s been a familiar face in popular series like Game Changer while also gaining traction through his quirky viral solo videos. Regularly performing at UCB in Los Angeles, Culhane blends an experimental style with classic sketch sensibilities, making him a strong fit for SNL’s evolving brand of comedy.
SNL’s New Chapter Begins
With these five rising stars joining veterans like Kenan Thompson, Bowen Yang, Colin Jost, Ego Nwodim, and Chloe Fineman, Saturday Night Live is clearly setting the stage for a reinvention. The addition of Marshall, Slowikowska, Brennan, Patterson, and Culhane signals a mix of digital-native creativity and live-performance grit—a formula that could breathe fresh life into the show as it heads into season 51. Viewers can catch their official debut when Saturday Night Live returns to NBC on October 4th, and one thing is certain: the new cast members are about to redefine what late-night comedy looks like for the next generation.