Overview

• Bowen Yang confirmed to People that he will return for Season 51 after a private conversation in which Lorne Michaels said, “I need you.”
• Departures ahead of the new season include Ego Nwodim, Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow and Emil Wakim.
• Five performers are joining the cast: Veronika Slowikowska, Kam Patterson, Ben Marshall of Please Don’t Destroy, Tommy Brennan and Jeremy Culhane.
• At the Emmys, Michaels emphasized that bringing in “new people” each year is key to keeping Saturday Night Live current and lively.
• Season 51 premieres Oct. 4 on NBC and Peacock, with Yang characterizing SNL as a “boot camp” and “launching pad” for talent.