"Saturday Night Live" Is Back For Season 48 With 4 New Players — See Who's in the Cast!

Published on Sep 20, 2022 at 4:55 PM

Getty | NBC

"Saturday Night Live" has added four new cast members to season 48: Marcello Hernandez, Molly Kearney, Devon Walker, and Michael Longfellow are all heading to Studio 8H as featured players. The long-running comedy sketch show is gearing up for a new installment, premiering Oct. 1, following the departure of several fan favorites, including Pete Davidson, Aidy Bryant, and Kate McKinnon.

After taking home the award for outstanding variety sketch series at the Emmys on Sept. 12, creator Lorne Michaels addressed the changes at the ceremony. "This will be transition year. Change years are always difficult but always exciting. There are new people. There are four new people at least for now," he told reporters backstage, per Deadline.

Keep reading for a confirmed list of all the new and returning cast members who will be gracing our screens to deliver gut-busting laughs for "SNL"'s 48th season.

Marcello Hernandez

The Cuban Dominican comedian, actor, and writer will make his "SNL" debut as a featured player. Hernandez was selected as one of the comedians for Just For Laughs's annual "New Faces of Comedy" list for 2022 and has previously opened for notable headliners, including "SNL" alum Jim Breuer, Tim Dillon, and Gilbert Gottfried, according to his website bio. He also has a massive following on TikTok thanks to his hilarious and relatable videos.

Devon Walker

Season 48 of "SNL" will be the first season for the comedian and writer as a cast member. Walker, who hails from Austin, TX, previously appeared in Comedy Central's "Up Next" showcase for up-and-coming comedians in 2017. His writing credits include an episode of Freeform's "Everything's Trash" along with cowriting Netflix's animated sitcom "Big Mouth." Walker also opened for Nick Kroll several times during his 2021 shows.

Molly Kearney

Kearney is among the four featured players added to season 48's ensemble, and they are the first openly nonbinary member in the show's long history. The actor and comedian was chosen for Comedy Central's "Up Next" showcase in 2019. Fans may recognize them from Disney+'s "The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers" and Amazon's "A League of Their Own," in which they played Fern Dannelly.

Michael Longfellow

Longfellow is the fourth featured player joining the "SNL" season 48 cast. The Phoenix native previously showcased his comedic chops on NBC's "Bring the Funny," hosted by "SNL"'s Kenan Thompson. He was also among the comedians chosen for TBS's "Comics to Watch" for the 2017 New York Comedy Festival.

Chloe Fineman

Fineman joined "SNL" for its 45th season in 2019, and she'll be returning for the new season.

Cecily Strong

The comedian joined the "SNL" cast in 2012 during its 38th season and is expected to return for season 48.

Kenan Thompson

Thompson joined "SNL" in 2003 during season 29, making him the longest-running cast member in the sketch comedy show's history. Thompson is set to return for another season.

Colin Jost

Jost has been working as a writer for "SNL" since 2005. He later joined the cast as the "Weekend Update" coanchor in 2014 during season 39. Jost will also be returning for season 48.

Bowen Yang

Yang has been on a journey with "SNL" since season 44, starting as a staff writer in 2018. He stepped up as an official cast member in 2019 with season 45. The "Fire Island" comedian will return for the show's forthcoming installment.

Michael Che

In addition to being one of the head writers on "SNL," Che has been cohosting the fan-favorite "Weekend Update" section of the show with Jost since 2014. Che is also expected to return for season 48.

Ego Nwodim

Nwodim joined the "SNL" cast in 2018 for its 44th season, and she'll be returning for season 48.

Heidi Gardner

Gardner joined the sprawling cast of "SNL" during its season 43 in 2017, and she'll be back for the new season.

Mikey Day

Day has been a writer on "SNL" since 2016, and in 2017, he joined the live comical features during season 42. Day will also be back for season 48.

Sarah Sherman

Sherman, who joined "SNL" in its season 47 in 2021, will be returning to the show as a featured player for the upcoming season.

Andrew Dismukes

Dismukes started on "SNL" as a staff writer in season 43, and he became an official cast member in 2021, beginning with season 47. Season 48 will be his second year with the show as a featured player.

Punkie Johnson

Johnson joined "SNL" in its 46th season in 2020, and she'll return for season 48.

James Austin Johnson

Johnson, whose spot-on Donald Trump impression is incredibly popular with fans, will also be returning to the show as a featured player after debuting in "SNL"'s 47th season in 2021.