Saturday Night Live Season 51 Shakes Up Cast with Ben Marshall & New Talent
In a bold move ahead of its 51st season, Saturday Night Live is set to debut an exciting lineup—or as Lorne Michaels put it, a “reinvention”—by promoting familiar face Ben Marshall from the “Please Don’t Destroy” troupe and adding four fresh comics with digital and stand-up chops.
A Familiar Face Earns a Big Break
Ben Marshall, who’s been both a writer and occasional performer on SNL since 2021 as part of Please Don’t Destroy, has now officially become a featured cast member. His comedic DNA is deeply woven into the show through viral shorts like “Roast” and “Hard Seltzer.” Born May 1, 1995, in Savannah, Georgia, he honed his craft at NYU’s Tisch School and is no stranger to late-night appearances, including a guest spot on Poker Face.
Tommy Brennan: Stand-Up Meets SNL
Tommy Brennan brings a sharp, stand-up tone to SNL—his comedic journey includes being named a “New Face of Comedy” at Just for Laughs in 2023 and a recent late-night set on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Hailing from St. Paul, Minnesota, and one of eight children, Brennan’s observational humor and grounding in improv give him a unique voice on the sketch show.
Jeremy Culhane: From DropoutTV to Studio 8H
Jeremy Culhane adds fresh online energy to SNL; a regular on Dropout TV (formerly CollegeHumor), he’s also performed live with Upright Citizens Brigade in LA. His acting resume includes appearances in The Sex Lives of College Girls and American Vandal.
Kam Patterson: Podcast Regular to SNL Stage
Kam Patterson, a regular on the live comedy podcast Kill Tony, stands out with his sharp stand-up and viral presence. In addition to his SNL debut, he’ll appear in Kevin Hart’s upcoming Netflix film 72 Hours and the buddy comedy Busboys. Vanity Fair
Veronika Slowikowska: Viral Sketch Star to SNL’s Spotlight
Veronika Slowikowska brings her viral sketch background from TikTok and Instagram—and mainstream TV credentials—to SNL. A Canadian performer, she’s appeared in What We Do in the Shadows and Tires and is known for her absurdist and musical comedy sensibility.
Why These Changes Matter for Season 51
Lorne Michaels hinted that post–50th season, a cast revamp was on the horizon—and the wave of departures from veterans like Heidi Gardner, Devon Walker, Emil Wakim, and Michael Longfellow cleared space for these fresh voices. This season also marks a milestone: the 1,000th SNL episode will air this year. Blending the seasoned writing of Ben Marshall with fresh stand-up and online talent signals a revitalized, diverse comedic direction just in time for the Oct 4, 2025, premiere.
Conclusion
With Ben Marshall stepping into the spotlight and four bold new voices joining Saturday Night Live, Season 51 promises to be a reset of the iconic sketch classic—infusing digital savvy, stand-up chops, and theatrical flair just ahead of its milestone 1,000th episode. Get ready: something new is brewing at Studio 8H.
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