Saturday Night Live Adds 3 Cast Members for Historic 50th Season to Replace Leaving Actors

Punkie Johnson, Molly Kearney and Chloe Troast are exiting and Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline will make their 'SNL' debut on season 50

Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, Jane Wickline
From left: Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, Jane Wickline join SNL season 50 cast. Photo:

Stephanie Nelson; Sam Cashell; Sio Hornbuckle

Saturday Night Live is shaking things up ahead of its historic 50th season.

The late-night sketch comedy series announced some changes to its lineup on Sept. 9, as another cast member exited and three new comedians joined the ranks.

Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim and Jane Wickline have all joined SNL, while featured player Chloe Troast is leaving after just one season.

Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney previously confirmed their departure from the series, too, with Johnson affirming there's "no bad blood" and Kearney thanking fans for an "amazing 2 seasons."

Padilla, who hails from the San Francisco Bay Area, has been a member of the Groundlings Main Company since 2021, while Chicago-born Wakim is a stand-up comedian, actor and writer who was selected as a New Face of Comedy at the 2022 Just for Laughs Comedy Festival.

Wickline is from L.A., and she has been a cast member of TikTok's live show "Stapleview" and also performs sketch comedy on tour.

Chloe Troast, SNL's newest cast member
Chloe Troast, SNL.

Arin Sang-urai

Troast announced her exit in a statement on Instagram as she revealed she was "not asked back to SNL this season."

"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," her statement read.

In the comments section, several of her SNL castmates shared their love for her, and stars like Chance the Rapper shared their support, too.

"I love you so so much and you were a big big light this year," Chloe Fineman wrote, while Kearney commented, "You're a genius and a star and the people love you."

Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker
Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker.

Mary Ellen Matthews/NBC (3)

Along with some departures and new additions, returning cast members Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker have been promoted to the main cast ahead of the upcoming season after two years as featured players.

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Saturday Night Live season 50 premieres Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.

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