In addition to the three new comedians, SNL Lead actors Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker have been promoted to the main cast. Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney previously announced their departures, with Johnson on the show for four years and Kearney for two.

“After four seasons, I will not be returning to ‘SNL’ for the 50th season,” Johnson confirmed in August, saying she was asked about her return to SNL for the new season during a stand-up show at Brooklyn’s Union Hall the night before. “I don’t lie to my friends, so I just said, ‘I’m not coming back.'”

She added: “It’s not bad blood, it’s not burned bridges, it’s not grudges. Bro, I love my people! I didn’t think this would turn into a big deal.”

News of Johnson’s departure came a day after it was confirmed that Maya Rudolph will return this fall to play Vice President Kamala Harris.

Like many SNL cast members, Padilla comes from the Groundlings, where she has been a member of the main company since 2021. She has appeared in HBO’s Curb your enthusiasm and NBC’s Night court.

Wakim, a stand-up comedian, is the show’s first Lebanese-American cast member. He made his late-night TV debut in 2022 on The Tonight Showand was the opening act for comedians such as Roy Wood Jr., Nikki Glaser and Hasan Minhaj.

Wickline is a bit of an exception for SNL because she has a background as a popular TikTok artist. She is currently appearing on a live TikTok show Stapleviewwhich has received more than 45 million likes.

Saturday Night Live celebrates its 50th anniversary this season. The late-night show, directed by Lorne Michaels, debuted in 1975. Season 50 premieres on September 28, with a live primetime special airing on February 16, 2025.