“Saturday Night Live” has finally finished picking its Season 52 cast, and the announcement arrives later than usual. Grace Reiter and Saidah Belo-Osagie join the NBC sketch comedy series, completing the troupe ahead of the Sept. 26 premiere with host Jalen Brunson.
The timing is notable. “SNL” typically locks in its new faces in early September, and this year the show waited until now to confirm the full roster.
Newcomers Join the Show
Reiter is a Wisconsin-born stand-up comedian and actor who built a large following on TikTok and YouTube before starring in Tim Robinson’s HBO comedy series “The Chair Company.” She is also a member of American High’s sketch team and stars in the upcoming series “Minimum Wage.” Earlier this year, she was listed as one of Variety’s 10 Creators to Watch.
Belo-Osagie is a Nigerian American filmmaker and comedian from Queens, now based in Brooklyn. She is the creator of the event series Afrobeats Futura and the solo show “Saidah Gets Closure.” In 2020 she wrote and directed a short film called “Tinge.”
Both women participated in auditions that took place across Los Angeles, New York and Chicago, where “SNL” executives evaluated more than a dozen comedians. The auditions were reported earlier this summer, and now the results are in.
The Departures
Chloe Fineman and Bowen Yang both exited during Season 51. Fineman announced her departure in July, while Yang left mid-season in December. Their exits mark the end of a season that saw two departures.
Fineman’s exit was announced publicly in July, giving fans time to process the loss. Yang’s mid-season departure came later, and the announcement notes that he left in December. Both exits are part of the Season 52 picture, even though neither is new this week.
Martin Herlihy of Please Don’t Destroy is also leaving his post as a writer, according to Variety’s reporting. His exit means the writing staff will look different next season.
Who Returns
The returning cast includes five Season 51 freshmen — Ben Marshall, Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska — plus veterans Kenan Thompson, Michael Che, Colin Jost and Mikey Day. Also returning are Andrew Dismukes, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson, Sarah Sherman, Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline.
The announcement lists everyone who is back, which covers the full breadth of the troupe.
The Premiere Lineup
“Saturday Night Live” returns to NBC on Sept. 26 with Brunson hosting and musical guest Katseye. The premiere sets the tone for the season, with Brunson stepping into the host chair after a long wait.
The next episodes bring a mix of hosts and musical guests:
| Episode | Date | Host | Musical Guest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premiere | Sept. 26 | Jalen Brunson | Katseye |
| Episode 2 | Oct. 3 | Dakota Johnson | Turnstile |
| Episode 3 | Oct. 10 | Shane Gillis | Rosalía |
| Episode 4 | Oct. 31 | Inde Navarette | Gracie Abrams |
Dakota Johnson hosts on Oct. 3 with Turnstile, followed by Shane Gillis on Oct. 10 with Rosalía. The Halloween episode, dated Oct. 31, pairs Inde Navarette with Gracie Abrams.
The Cast Comparison
The Season 52 cast is complete, with Reiter and Belo-Osagie rounding out the troupe. The returning cast includes five Season 51 freshmen, plus Kenan Thompson, Michael Che, Colin Jost and Mikey Day.
Here is the breakdown of who is back:
| Group | Members |
|---|---|
| Season 51 freshmen | Ben Marshall, Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, Veronika Slowikowska |
| Veterans | Kenan Thompson, Michael Che, Colin Jost, Mikey Day |
| Returning regulars | Andrew Dismukes, Marcello Hernández, James Austin Johnson, Sarah Sherman, Ashley Padilla, Jane Wickline |
The combination of newcomers and veterans gives the show a mix of fresh energy and proven reliability. Reiter and Belo-Osagie bring the new perspective, while the returning cast provides the familiar foundation.
The Auditions Process
The auditions took place across three cities — Los Angeles, New York and Chicago — where “SNL” executives evaluated more than a dozen comedians. The process was reported earlier this summer.
The Delayed Announcement
The announcement comes later than usual for “SNL,” which typically solidifies its troupe in early September. This year the show waited until now to confirm the full roster.
The delay is notable because it breaks the pattern. Now the question is answered, and the cast is set.
The Bottom Line
The Season 52 cast is complete. Reiter and Belo-Osagie join a returning troupe that includes five Season 51 freshmen, plus Kenan Thompson, Michael Che, Colin Jost and Mikey Day.
The premiere on Sept. 26 with Brunson and Katseye will give audiences their first look at the new lineup. The next few episodes will show how the new cast fits into the show’s established format.
The announcement is a relief for fans who had been waiting to hear from the show. It brings closure to a season that lost two key players and adds two fresh voices to the mix.
“SNL” has completed its casting for Season 52. The show returns on Sept. 26, and the new cast will have its chance to prove itself.
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