Saturday Night Live is heading into its 51st season, and the iconic late-night sketch show is making headlines once again — not just for comedy, but also for behind-the-scenes shake-ups. With multiple cast departures, fresh new faces, and high-profile rumored guests, the upcoming season promises major changes at Studio 8H. Here’s a full breakdown of what to expect when SNL returns in October.
SNL Season 51 Premiere Date
NBC has confirmed that Saturday Night Live Season 51 will premiere on Saturday, October 4, 2025, airing live on NBC and streaming on Peacock. The season opener will introduce new cast members, feature new Weekend Update anchors, and potentially surprise fans with A-list hosting appearances.
Major Cast Departures
This season marks the end of an era for some long-time performers. Heidi Gardner, who has been with SNL for eight seasons, is departing the show. NBC also confirmed the exits of Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim.
Walker, in particular, made headlines after posting that the SNL environment could “be toxic as hell,” despite describing the cast as a “little family.”
Variety further reported that John Higgins of the Please Don’t Destroy trio will also be leaving to pursue Hollywood projects.
Returning Cast Members
While the full lineup hasn’t been finalized, reports suggest showrunner Lorne Michaels plans to retain only a core group of performers. Confirmed and rumored returnees include:
- Kenan Thompson (the longest-tenured cast member in SNL history)
- James Austin Johnson
- Marcello Hernandez
- Ashley Padilla
- Sarah Sherman (reportedly still undecided)
Michaels has acknowledged that the cast won’t be as large as in previous years, but has reaffirmed Johnson’s return.
Please Don’t Destroy Shake-Up
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(749x0:751x2)/snl-Heidi-Gardner-Mikey-Day-Jon-Hamm-Bowen-Yang-Andrew-Dismukes-Ashley-Padilla-073125-ec8c850cfb8940389054adbae4cde2a5.jpg)
The future of Please Don’t Destroy has been a point of fan speculation. According to insider reports:
- Martin Herlihy will stay on as a writer.
- Ben Marshall will be promoted to the cast.
- John Higgins is leaving entirely.
This split marks the end of the trio’s on-screen appearances as fans have come to know them.
New Cast Members
NBC announced four new comedians joining the show:
Additionally, insider reports claim there are six total new additions this year. Two of them are reportedly current writers who will step into major roles — specifically as the new Weekend Update anchors. One is said to have been tested against a recently cut cast member whose firing drew backlash, while another reportedly has ties to a current cast member, stirring internal tensions.
Rumored Hosts and Musical Guests
Alongside the cast shake-ups, Season 51 is rumored to deliver some major star power in its hosting and musical slots. According to leaks:
- Taylor Swift (recently engaged) and Sabrina Carpenter (a rising pop sensation) may appear in separate episodes, potentially pulling double duty as both host and musical guest.
- Glen Powell, fresh off his dystopian action film The Running Man (releasing November 7), is rumored to host.
- Katseye, the girl group recently featured in a viral Gap jeans campaign, may serve as a musical guest.
While these names haven’t been officially confirmed, they align with NBC’s tendency to mix established icons with emerging stars.
What’s Staying the Same
Despite all the changes, some traditions remain untouched. Reports indicate that NBC does not plan to revamp the SNL home stage, which has largely remained consistent through decades of live shows. Fans can expect the same Studio 8H energy, even if the faces on stage are new.
Fan Reactions
‘SNL’ Cast Shake-Up Complete: Michael Che, Ego Nwodim, Chloe Fineman, Mikey Day, Kenan Thompson & Bowen Yang All Returning
byu/KillerCroc1234567 intelevision
The shake-up has sparked heated discussion among fans online. While some are disappointed to see longtime favorites like Heidi Gardner go, others are excited about fresh talent joining the cast. The rumored return of Taylor Swift to host has fueled particular buzz, with many pointing out that her close friendship with Sabrina Carpenter could make for a memorable back-to-back lineup.
As always with SNL, speculation over Weekend Update anchors is also drawing interest. With two writers reportedly promoted into the coveted spot, fans are eager to see if the new duo can carry the tradition of satirical news into Season 51.
FAQs
1. When does SNL Season 51 premiere?
On October 4, 2025, airing live on NBC and streaming on Peacock.
2. Which cast members are leaving?
Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and John Higgins are all exiting.
3. Who is returning?
Kenan Thompson, James Austin Johnson, Marcello Hernandez, and Ashley Padilla are confirmed; Sarah Sherman’s status is undecided.
4. Who are the new cast members?
Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska, with more additions rumored.
5. Who might host or perform in Season 51?
Rumors point to Taylor Swift, Sabrina Carpenter, Glen Powell, and Katseye.
Final Thoughts
Saturday Night Live Season 51 is shaping up to be one of the most dramatic transitions in the show’s history. With multiple cast departures, promising newcomers, and high-profile rumored guests, the legendary sketch series faces both risks and opportunities. Whether these changes will revitalize SNL or add to its controversies remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: fans will be tuning in to see how the new season unfolds.
What do you think of the major cast changes and rumored guests for Season 51? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the conversation on TrendingNewsBuzz.com!
