'Saturday Night Live' Season 51: Premiere Date, Cast Exits and Everything You Need to Know

“Live from New York, it’s Saturday Night!” Or at least, it will be very soon.

Saturday Night Live, the iconic comedy variety show created by producer Lorne Michaels, is on its way with season 51, according to NBC’s website.

Whether you prefer watching new episodes live or catching viral clips online, SNL remains a cornerstone of American culture.

Watch With Us has everything you need to know about the return of Saturday Night Live coming this fall. Read on to learn more.

When Will ‘SNL’ Season 51 Premiere?

NBC recently announced that Saturday Night Live will return on Saturday (of course), October 4, 2025, in its 11:30 p.m. EST time slot.

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Who Will Be the Host and Musical Guest for the ‘SNL’ Season 51 Premiere?

No host has been announced yet for the October 4 premiere, but fans can most likely expect a big name. Hacks star Jean Smart hosted the premiere of SNL 50, while former cast member Pete Davidson opened the 49th season, and Miles Teller of Top Gun: Maverick hosted the premiere in 2022 for season 48.

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Similarly, no announcements have been made regarding the musical guest. Jelly Roll was the musical guest for last year’s premiere, while Ice Spice and Kendrick Lamar were the guests in the two previous season premieres.

Who Is Returning to the Cast of ‘Saturday Night Live’ Season 51?

Each new season of SNL often sees some series regulars depart and some up-and-coming talent arrive in the new cast. In an interview with Puck on Sunday, August 24, Michaels hinted that there would be news about the cast “in a week or so.” He confirmed that James Austin Johnson, who impersonated President Trump throughout season 50, would be back, but was tight-lipped about the rest of the cast.

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Apart from Johnson, as of last year, the regular cast members included Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Heidi Gardner, Marcello Hernandez, Colin Jost, Michael Longfellow, Ego Nwodim, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, Devon Walker and Bowen Yang and the featured players were Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline.

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We now know that at least one writer will not be returning for season 50. Celeste Yim announced on Sunday that they would be exiting the show after spending the last five seasons there as a writer.

They shared a heartfelt message about what the show meant to them, explaining, “After five seasons, I’m leaving my job at Saturday Night Live. Lorne hired me over the phone when I was 23 and the job literally made all of my dreams come true BUT it was also grueling and I slept in my office every week BUT my friends helped me with everything BUT I got yelled at by random famous men BUT some famous girls too BUT I loved it and I laughed every day and it’s where I grew up.” Yim also wrote about their experience being the first openly transgender writer on the show.

Devon Walker Announces He’s Leaving ‘Saturday Night Live’

Well, we have one confirmation of who won’t be returning to Saturday Night Live for season 51. Devon Walker, who first joined NBC’s long-running sketch comedy show in 2022, is leaving. In an Instagram post, the comedian wrote, “Me and the show did three years together, and sometimes it was really cool. Sometimes it was toxic as hell. But we did what we made the most of what it was, even amidst all of the dysfunction. We made a f****d up lil family.”

“More than anything, I’m just really happy I got to do it with Gary and Alex. [We] really went from running a bar show to working together at 30 rock! It’s a beautiful thing. Also, I look caked up in that picture and I feel like it’s important for people to know what I got going on.
Anyway, I’m bout to go to Japan. When I get back I’m tryna be in a prestige drama. Ideally something with Julianne Moore. Hope y’all staying hydrated and getting some money today.”

It’s unclear if the parting was mutual, if Walker quit or if NBC let him go. Walker seems positive about it and about his time on the show.

Emil Wakim Is Exiting ‘Saturday Night Live’ Season 51

Following Devon Walker’s recent announcement that he won’t be returning to Saturday Night Live for season 51, fellow cast member Emil Wakim is also exiting the long-running sketch comedy series. In an August 27 Instagram post, Wakim wrote, “I won’t be returning to SNL next year. It was a gut punch of a call to get but I’m so grateful for my time there. I was at Six Flags celebrating my friend’s 36th birthday and went on a really emotional walk through Bugs Bunny Park and stared out across Daffy Duck Lake thinking about life.

“Every time I scanned into the building I would think how insane it is to get to work there. It was the most terrifying, thrilling, and rewarding experience of my life and I will miss it dearly and all the brilliant people that work there that made it feel like a home. Thank u to Lorne [Michaels] for taking a chance on me and changing my life,” he added. “I was so lucky to bring some of myself in there and say things I believed in and I’m excited for whatever chapter comes next. Here’s to making more art without compromise.”

Wakim was a relatively new addition to the SNL cast, having joined just before season 50 started in 2024. He made his late-night TV debut on The Jimmy Fallon Show in 2022. While his time on SNL was short, Wakim made history as the first cast member of Lebanese heritage.

Will Lorne Michaels Be Stepping Back From ‘SNL’ After Season 50?

In the same Puck interview, Michaels explained that more of the SNL staff were “involved in the choices and in the decisions” about the show’s direction. “There’s a lot of people in that room with a lot of opinions. I make the final decision, obviously. But it’s not as if people don’t let me know how strongly they feel.” While he certainly isn’t planning to leave the show, it does sound as though Michaels is giving a bit more control to his colleagues after so many years as captain of the ship.

How to Watch ‘Saturday Night Live’ Season 51

New SNL episodes will air at 11:30/10:30c beginning Saturday, October 4, live on NBC and Peacock, and will be available to stream the next day on Peacock. You can currently watch seasons 2-50 on Peacock. Keep an eye on Watch With Us for more updates on SNL news.