Star-Studded Premiere and Early Episodes
Saturday Night Live will kick off its 52nd season on Sept. 26 with Jalen Brunson hosting, fresh off leading the New York Knicks to their first NBA Championship in 53 years. K-pop group Katseye will serve as musical guest, with both making their SNL debuts. The Oct. 3 episode features Dakota Johnson, returning for her third time, alongside hardcore band Turnstile, who debut amid their Never Enough Tour Pt. 2. Johnson's film Verity hits theaters on Oct. 2.[S1]
Shane Gillis is set to host for a third time on October 10, with Rosalía as the musical act. Gillis recently set a Guinness World Record for the largest stand-up comedy audience and dropped Season 3 of his Netflix series Tires. Rosalía, who concludes her Lux world tour the previous month, will be making her second appearance on the show. The Halloween installment on October 31 features Inde Navarette, known for her role in the horror film Obsession, with Gracie Abrams returning as musical guest after the release of Daughter From Hell.[S1]
Cast Changes and UK Spinoff
The offseason has been relatively quiet, but there have been notable cast changes. Chloe Fineman, who joined in 2019, has departed after seven seasons. Martin Herlihy, who appeared on camera for four seasons as part of Please Don't Destroy and contributed to the writing staff for Season 51, has also left. These exits signal a transformation in the ensemble as the new season approaches.[S1]
Meanwhile, Saturday Night Live UK has announced its second season premiere on Sept. 12, with Jeff Goldblum hosting and CMAT as musical guest. The UK version will bring back its full cast from the first season and run for 12 episodes, beating the American show in announcing its premiere date.[S1]
Looking Back at Season 51
Season 51 featured hosts like Will Ferrell, Bad Bunny, Matt Damon, and Connor Storrie, with musical guests including Doja Cat, Sombr, Role Model, and Cher. Some celebrities pulled double duty, such as Harry Styles, Sabrina Carpenter, and Olivia Rodrigo, who both hosted and performed. The upcoming season promises a mix of returning favorites and fresh faces.[S1]
In interviews at the end of last season, newcomers shared their goals for their sophomore year. Jeremy Culhane expressed a desire to capture his own voice in sketches, admiring senior cast members like Andrew Dismukes and James Austin Johnson. Veronika Slowikowski hoped to find characters together with her fellow cast members, building on the collaborative spirit of the previous year.[S1]
