Season 50 Cast Announcement for “Saturday Night Live”
The highly anticipated cast for Season 50 of NBC’s iconic sketch comedy series “Saturday Night Live” has been officially revealed. The network announced on Tuesday that fresh comedic talents Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline will be joining as featured players. This new season is set to kick off on September 28, marking a significant milestone for the beloved show.
In a surprising turn of events, Chloe Troast, who was a featured player in the previous season, announced via an Instagram post that she will not be returning. “Unfortunately, I was not asked back to ‘S.N.L.’ this season,” Troast shared. “I wish I was going back to be with all the amazing friends I made there; it truly felt like home. But it just wasn’t in the cards.”
Chloe Troast, known for her role as Mama Cass in 2023, will be missed by fans and colleagues alike.
Ashley Padilla comes from a rich background in sketch comedy, having honed her skills at the renowned Los Angeles improv troupe, the Groundlings. Like many “S.N.L.” alumni—such as Will Ferrell, Maya Rudolph, Kristen Wiig, and Phil Hartman—Padilla brings her unique flair to the table. In addition to her new role, she made appearances in a final-season episode of HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and in the NBC revival of “Night Court.”
Emil Wakim, a Lebanese American comedian raised in Indiana, made a splash in the comedy scene with his late-night stand-up debut on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” in 2022. That year, he was honored as a New Face of Comedy at the prestigious Just for Laughs festival in Montreal. Wakim has also opened for notable comedians such as Roy Wood Jr., Nikki Glaser, Hasan Minhaj, and Neal Brennan.
Jane Wickline is likely best known for her vibrant presence on TikTok, where she has amassed nearly a million followers. She frequently contributes to “Stapleview,” a live TikTok comedy show that showcases emerging comedic talent.
Returning to the main cast are familiar faces including Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Ego Nwodim, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, and Bowen Yang. Additionally, former featured players Marcello Hernández, Michael Longfellow, and Devon Walker will be advancing to the main cast after their debut in the 48th season.
In a notable absence, Punkie Johnson, who had been a part of “S.N.L.” since 2020, confirmed in August that she would not be returning for the upcoming season. Johnson was well-known for her portrayal of Vice President Kamala Harris. Interestingly, Maya Rudolph, who was an “S.N.L.” cast member from 2000 to 2007 and has returned multiple times to impersonate Harris, is expected to reprise her role as Harris vies for the Democratic nomination for the White House.
Furthermore, Molly Kearney, the show’s first nonbinary cast member, announced in August that they would also be departing after two successful seasons. “It was such a dream come true,” Kearney expressed in an Instagram post. “I am incredibly grateful for this period in my life.”
