SNL Marks 50th Season with Fresh Faces Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline Join the Cast

As NBC’s iconic sketch show “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) gears up for its landmark 50th season, three new comedy talents are stepping into the spotlight. Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline will join the cast, bringing fresh energy and humor to the show’s milestone year.

New Additions and Cast Changes

Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, and Jane Wickline are set to become the new featured players on SNL. This season will also see several cast changes: Chloe Troast, who was a featured player last season, will not be returning. Additionally, after two years as featured players, Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow, and Devon Walker are being promoted to the main cast.

Returning Favorites and Special Guests

Most of the current SNL cast members, including long-time favorites, will be back for the 50th season, which premieres on September 28. Notably, Maya Rudolph will return to reprise her popular Kamala Harris impersonation through the Presidential election. Departing the show are Punkie Johnson, who has been with SNL for four seasons, and Molly Kearney, who joined the cast two seasons ago. Chloe Troast shared her disappointment about not returning on Instagram, expressing her sadness about leaving behind the friends she made on the show.

About the New Cast Members

Ashley Padilla, who has been part of The Groundlings Main Company since 2021, has also appeared on HBO’s “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and NBC’s “Night Court.” She is represented by Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment and Verve.

In 2022, Emil Wakim, a Lebanese-American comedian, appeared on NBC’s “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” for his late-night TV debut. He has also performed at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival and opened for comedians like Roy Wood Jr., Nikki Glaser, and Hasan Minhaj. Wakim is represented by UTA and Strig Artist Management..

Jane Wickline has gained a large following on TikTok, where her comedy sketches on the live show “Stapleview” have earned more than 45 million likes. Her acting credits include the 2024 Mubi film “My First Film,” and she continues to tour with her sketch comedy. Wickline is represented by Gersh and Stapleview.

“Saturday Night Live,” created and executive produced by Lorne Michaels, remains a top entertainment series and will celebrate its 50th season with a live primetime special on February 16.