SNL Changes: Cast Updates & Season Return Hints
- As "Saturday Night Live" heads into its 51st season this fall, the show may see some critically important changes.
- Thompson described the season 50 finale as "bittersweet," hinting at possible departures.
- Speculation about changes also surrounds Lorne Michaels. Colin Jost joked about replacing Michaels during a "Weekend Update" segment.
Get ready for major changes! “Saturday Night Live” veteran Kenan Thompson teases a potential cast shake-up as the show gears up for season 51, igniting speculation about who might be leaving the iconic sketch comedy series. This news comes after a bittersweet season 50 finale, with Thompson himself hinting at the uncertainty surrounding cast members’ futures.Beyond the potential departures, the shadow of retirement rumors continues to follow Lorne Michaels, adding further intrigue. News Directory 3 delivers the scoop on possible cast exits,especially as other cast members like Sarah Sherman and Bowen Yang hint at their own possible exits. Will the incoming season see a fresh wave of talent, or will familiar faces remain? Discover what’s next for SNL.
SNL Cast Shake-Up? Kenan Thompson Teases Changes for Season 51
updated May 25, 2025
As “Saturday Night Live” heads into its 51st season this fall, the show may see some critically important changes. Kenan Thompson, the show’s longest-running cast member, has suggested a potential cast shake-up is coming.
Thompson described the season 50 finale as “bittersweet,” hinting at possible departures. While he didn’t specify who might leave, he acknowledged that cast members face decisions about their futures each summer.
The 50th season finale, hosted by Scarlett Johansson, aired on may 17.
NBC/Will Heath/NBC via Getty Images
Speculation about changes also surrounds Lorne Michaels. Colin Jost joked about replacing Michaels during a “Weekend Update” segment. Michaels, 80, addressed retirement rumors in 2024, stating he had no immediate plans to leave the sketch comedy show he created in 1975.
Other cast members have also fueled speculation about their departures. Sarah Sherman appeared confused after a joke about her leaving during Johansson’s monologue. Bowen Yang expressed uncertainty about his future on “SNL” in a recent interview.
Kenan Thompson is the longest-tenured cast member in the NBC show’s history.
NBC/Theo Wargo/NBC via Getty Images
Thompson, who joined “SNL” in 2003, has not yet signed a new contract but wants to return. He also expressed a desire not to impede opportunities for others.
“You just never know what the future holds,” Thompson told Page six. “I don’t want to be in the way of someone else.”
What’s next
As the summer progresses, fans and industry insiders alike will be watching closely to see who returns to Studio 8H this fall for season 51 of ”Saturday Night Live.”