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Saturday Night Live has announced the addition of three cast members, Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline, ahead of the late-night sketch show’s Season 50 premiere. Chloe Troast, who joined the cast last season, simultaneously announced her departure.
“Unfortunately I was not asked back to ‘SNL’ this season,” Troast wrote on Instagram on Monday night. “I wish I was going back to be with all the amazing friends I made there, it truly felt like home. But it wasn’t in the cards. I wanna thank everyone who supported me. Especially everyone who came to see my tour this summer, wore costumes from characters and had such wonderful things to say. You mean everything to me. I hope I was able to spread joy and laughter, all love. Onwards and upwards.”
In addition to the three new comedians, SNL featured players Marcello Hernandez,Michael Longfellow,andDevon Walker have been promoted to the main cast. Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney previously announced their departures, with Johnson spending four years on the show and Kearney two.
“After four seasons, I will not be returning to ‘SNL’ for the 50th,” Johnson confirmed in August, sharing that she was asked about her return toSNLfor the new season during a stand-up show at Brooklyn’s Union Hall the night prior. “I don’t lie to my friends so I just said, ‘I ain’t coming back.’”
She added, “It’s no bad blood, it’s no bridges burned, it’s no hard feelings. Bro, I love my people! I didn’t think none of this was going to be a big deal.”
The news of Johnson’s departure arrived a day after it was confirmed thatMaya Rudolphwill returnthis fall to portray Vice PresidentKamala 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 on HBO’sCurb Your Enthusiasmand NBC’sNight Court.
Wakim, a stand-up comedian, marks the show’s first Lebanese-American cast member. He made his late-night TV debut in 2022 on The Tonight Show, and has opened for comedians like Roy Wood Jr., Nikki Glaser, and Hasan Minhaj.
Wickline is a bit of a departure for SNL as she has a background as popular TikTok performer. She currently appears on live TikTok showStapleview, which has earned more than 45 million likes.
Saturday Night Live celebrates its 50th year this season. The late-night show, helmed by Lorne Michaels, debuted in 1975. Season 50 will premiere Sept. 28, with a live primetime special set to air Feb. 16, 2025.
