EXCLUSIVE: This is quite the break for up-and-coming comedy performers Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline who will get to join NBC’s venerable late-night sketch program Saturday Night Live for its milestone 50th season that will be marked by celebrations, reunions and high profile guests.
The trio will be the three featured players on the show next season. Chloe Troast who was brought in as a featured player last season, is leaving. Meanwhile, after two years as featured players, Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker are being promoted to the main cast.
The majority of SNL performers, including all longtime veterans, will be back for Season 50, which premieres Sept 28, with alumna Maya Rudolph returning to reprise her Kamala Harris impersonation through the Presidential election. In addition to Troast, departing the show are Punkie Johnson after four seasons and Molly Kearney after two.
(L-R): Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker
Getty Images/NBC
“Unfortunately I was not asked back to SNL this season,” Troast wrote on IG after Deadline’s story was published. “I wish I was going back to be with all the amazing friends I made there, it truly felt like home. But it wasn’t in the cards.” (You can read Troast’s full message below.)
Created and executive produced by Lorne Michaels, Saturday Night Live, the #1 entertainment series across broadcast and cable for the 2023-24 season in 18-49, is produced in association with Broadway Video. The show’s 50th season celebrations are set to culminate with a live primetime special Feb. 16.
Padilla comes from The Groundlings where has been a member of the Main Company since 2021. She recently guest starred on HBO’s Curb Your Enthusiasm and NBC’s Night Court. Padilla is repped by Odenkirk Provissiero Entertainment and Verve.
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Lebanese-American comedian Wakim made his late-night TV debut in 2022 on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, which is executive produced by SNL boss Michaels. He was selected as a New Face of Comedy at the Just For Laughs Comedy Festival the same year and has opened for Roy Wood Jr., Nikki Glaser and Hasan Minhaj. Wakim is repped by UTA and Strig Artist Management.
Wickline has built strong following on TikTok where she is a cast member on live show Stapleview, with her comedy bits amassing more than 45M likes. Her acting credits include the 2024 Mubi movie My First Film, and she performs sketch comedy on tour. Wickline is repped by Gersh and Stapleview.
