Home / Arts and Entertainment / SNL Debuts 17 New Cast Members in Season 51 Premiere
SNL Debuts 17 New Cast Members in Season 51 Premiere
5 Oct
Summary
- 4 new SNL cast members introduced in cold open
- Comedian Kam Patterson demands to say N-word on Update
- ChatGPTio sketch features new talents Slowikowska and Culhane
On October 5th, 2025, Saturday Night Live premiered its 51st season with a slew of new cast members. The cold open introduced four of these fresh faces - Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowska, and Tommy Brennan - as they joined veteran cast members like Colin Jost and James Austin Johnson.
Culhane and Patterson made immediate impressions. Culhane played a military official introducing Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, portrayed by Jost, while Patterson went straight to Weekend Update to demand the right to say the N-word on air, much to Jost's dismay.
Later sketches also highlighted the new talent. Slowikowska appeared in a Jeopardy-themed sketch and a ChatGPTio ad, where she interacted with the AI assistant played by Marcello Hernandez. Culhane returned in the ChatGPTio sketch, asking for first date icebreakers.
With 17 new cast members this season, SNL is clearly aiming to inject new energy and diverse perspectives into the long-running sketch comedy show. The premiere episode's mix of established stars and rising talents suggests an exciting season ahead for fans.
