Lorne Michaels, the mastermind behind “Saturday Night Live,” has announced that the show will experience some cast changes before its new season starts in October.
Speaking to Puck, Michaels, 80, confirmed that there will be a big cast shakeup for “SNL’s” 51st season.
The previous season celebrated the show’s 50-year milestone. NBC marked this occasion with an “SNL50” anniversary episode featuring numerous celebrity hosts and the return of beloved former cast members.
Michaels said that because season 50 was so monumental, no casting changes were announced during that time.
-
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 21: Kenan Thompson attends the Reel Works 24th Annual ChangeMaker Gala at The Ziegfeld Ballroom on May 21, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 14: Bowen Yang attends SNL50: The Homecoming Concert At Radio City Music Hall Red Carpet Arrivals at Radio City Music Hall on February 14, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Sean Zanni/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) -
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — “FYC 2025 Event” — Pictured: Ego Nwodim at The Television Academy in North Hollywood, CA on June 2, 2025 — (Photo by: Todd Williamson/NBC via Getty Images) -
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – MAY 12: Marcello Hernández speaks onstage during the 29th Annual Webby Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on May 12, 2025 in New York City. (Photo by Dave Kotinsky/Getty Images for The Webby Awards) -
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – JULY 22: Chloe Fineman attends the premiere of Disney’s “Freakier Friday” at El Capitan Theatre on July 22, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Monica Schipper/GA/The Hollywood Reporter via Getty Images) -
AUSTIN, TEXAS – APRIL 19: Comedian James Austin Johnson performs onstage during Moontower Comedy Festival at The State Theatre on April 19, 2025 in Austin, Texas. (Photo by Rick Kern/Getty Images) -
SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE — Episode 1878 — Pictured: (l-r) Andrew Dismukes, Ego Nwodim, Bowen Yang as Zander, host Lady Gaga as Pia, Sarah Sherman, and Ashley Padilla during the “No More Slay” sketch on Saturday, March 8, 2025 — (Photo by: Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images)
Michaels shared with Puck that when Kate McKinnon hosted, Kristen Wiig and Maya Rudolph made appearances. This meant that disruptions to the cast or shifts in focus were avoided, particularly since it coincided with an election year.
While viewers are eager to discover which members might depart before the 51st season, Michaels did reveal one constant: James Austin Johnson will reprise his role as President Donald Trump.
