Saturday Night Live is heading into its 52nd season with some new faces, a couple of promotions and another round of changes to one of television’s most closely watched comedy ensembles.
Comedians Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter are joining the NBC sketch series as featured players when the show returns later this month.
Belo-Osagie, who comes from Queens, New York, brings experience across comedy, filmmaking and live performance. Her previous work includes the short film Tinge, the event series Afrobeats Futura and the solo show Saidah Gets Closure.
Reiter, a Wisconsin native, arrives with credits as a writer, director and performer. Her work includes The Chair Company, the upcoming series Minimum Wage and the online parody The Hunger Games (but Better).
The newcomers will not be the only cast members stepping into new territory.
Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline have been promoted to repertory-player status after joining the show during its milestone 50th season. Both have spent the past two seasons establishing themselves within the ensemble and will now enter Season 52 as members of the main cast.
The additions come amid several notable departures.
Chloe Fineman will not return after seven seasons with the show. Fineman became particularly well known for her celebrity impressions during her run. Bowen Yang, another prominent member of the ensemble, left during Season 51 and also will not be part of the new lineup.
Even with the changes, plenty of familiar faces remain at Studio 8H.
Kenan Thompson, the longest-serving cast member in the program’s history, is returning alongside Michael Che, Colin Jost, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson and Sarah Sherman. Several featured performers from last season are also continuing with the show.
Season 52 begins September 26 with a distinctly New York opening act. New York Knicks star Jalen Brunson will make his SNL hosting debut, while KATSEYE will take the stage as musical guest.
The weeks that follow will bring another mix of familiar hosts and newcomers. Dakota Johnson and comedian Shane Gillis are scheduled to return as hosts, while actress Inde Navarrette will make her hosting debut. Turnstile, Rosalía and Gracie Abrams are among the musical guests announced for the opening stretch of episodes.
More than five decades after its debut, SNL continues the balancing act that has defined much of its history: keeping veteran performers around while betting on new comedy talent.
For Belo-Osagie and Reiter, that means joining one of television’s most famous comedy proving grounds. For viewers, it means two new performers to watch when the familiar words “Live from New York” kick off another season.
