Overview
- Trade outlets report Michael Che will rejoin Colin Jost at the Weekend Update desk after Scarlett Johansson confirmed Jost’s return.
- Kenan Thompson extends his record with a 23rd season, joining returning mainstays Bowen Yang, Ego Nwodim, Chloe Fineman and Mikey Day.
- Five newcomers join the ensemble: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowska and Ben Marshall of Please Don’t Destroy.
- Heidi Gardner departs after eight seasons, with exits also confirmed for Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow and Emil Wakim, plus writer changes and a Please Don’t Destroy reconfiguration.
- Deadline tallies 18 cast members for Season 51, which premieres Oct. 4 at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.