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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsSaturday Night Live’s 2025–26 Season 51 added five featured players and saw four confirmed departures. A later NBC roster shows which Season 51 performers continued into Season 52; it also clarifies why some names are best described as leaving after Season 51 rather than before it.
Who left Saturday Night Live for Season 51?
Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, Michael Longfellow and Ego Nwodim confirmed they were leaving, according to the Associated Press. Walker and Longfellow had been repertory players; Wakim had been a featured player in the prior season. Nwodim joined as a featured player in 2018 and was promoted two years later. In her announcement, as reported by the AP, she said: “But after seven unforgettable seasons, I have decided to leave SNL.” Associated Press report.
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Heidi Gardner’s status was not confirmed
Multiple outlets reported that Heidi Gardner was departing, but the AP noted at the time that neither Gardner nor NBC had publicly confirmed it. That reporting is not the same as a confirmed announcement from her or the network.
Who joined the Season 51 cast?
NBC announced five new featured players on September 2, 2025: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska. NBC’s announcement described their comedy backgrounds:
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- Tommy Brennan was selected as a Just for Laughs New Face of Comedy in 2023 and had performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
- Jeremy Culhane was known for viral TikTok and online videos, appeared regularly on Dropout TV and performed with Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles.
- Ben Marshall joined the SNL writing staff in 2021 and appeared on-camera with comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy.
- Kam Patterson was a stand-up comic and a regular on the live comedy podcast Kill Tony.
- Veronika Slowikowska was known for sketch-comedy videos on Instagram and TikTok and had appeared in Tires and What We Do in the Shadows.
Who stayed on after Season 51?
NBC’s September 16, 2026 Season 52 announcement provides a retrospective answer: these 15 Season 51 performers were named as returning for Season 52.
- Kenan Thompson
- Michael Che
- Colin Jost
- Mikey Day
- Andrew Dismukes
- Marcello Hernández
- James Austin Johnson
- Sarah Sherman
- Ashley Padilla
- Jane Wickline
- Ben Marshall
- Tommy Brennan
- Jeremy Culhane
- Kam Patterson
- Veronika Slowikowska
That roster is evidence of continuity into Season 52, not an announcement made before Season 51 began. Peacock’s cast FAQ says Chloe Fineman and Bowen Yang are not returning for Season 52, making them Season 51 performers who did not continue into the following season.
Rank #2
- 12 DVDs of the best episodes from Seasons 1-5. Plus a 28-Page Collector’s Book telling the story of the show and cast
- 33 episodes with the original groundbreaking, irreverent, hilarious cast. Plus rare footage of the cast, including screen tests and interviews
- All-time classic sketches including “Land Shark,” “Word Association,” “The Killer Bees,” “Super Bass-o-Matic,” “Weekend Update,” and so many more
- Iconic characters including Coneheads, Samurai, Emily Litella, Chevy Chase as President Ford, Shower Mike, The Blues Brothers, Baba Wawa, and more! You'll also recieve special episodes including Chevy Chase's return to SNL with music icon Billy Joel, plus the historic 100th episode!
- Guest Hosts include George Carlin, Richard Pryor, Steve Martin, Candice Bergen, Paul Simon, and more
How Season 51 performed
NBCUniversal reported that Season 51 ranked as the No. 1 broadcast comedy among adults 18–49. It also reported 8.2 billion video views for the season, up 98% year over year from 4.2 billion, and a 9% increase in total viewers for the Season 51 finale compared with the 2025 season finale. These are season-wide results; NBCUniversal’s figures do not establish that cast changes caused them. NBCUniversal’s Season 51 figures.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where to watch Season 51
NBCUniversal says all Season 51 episodes are streaming on Peacock, where SNL also streams live. Season 51 premiered October 4, 2025, at 11:30 p.m. ET / 8:30 p.m. PT. NBC’s viewing information.
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Rank #4
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