SNL cast 2021: Who is leaving and who are the new cast members?

Saturday Night Live is gearing up for a new season filled with hilarious sketches and star-studded guests. As we anxiously await the season premiere, the creators had some bittersweet news to share with fans: an updated cast list.

As we welcome new jokesters to the SNL family, it's also time to say farewell to some of our favorites. The upcoming 47th season of the sketch comedy show will feature a new cast list with some fresh faces ready to bring the laughs. 

The latest season is set to premiere on October 2, 2021, fresh off its success from the Emmys where a previous SNL cast member, Jason Sudeikis, also won big at Emmys 2021 for Ted Lasso. Owen Wilson will be opening the season as the host with musical guest Kacey Musgraves also taking the stage. Before season 47 takes over our screens, find out who from the original cast is leaving and meet the SNL cast 2021 below.

SNL cast season 46

• Beck Bennett
• Aidy Bryant
• Michael Che
• Pete Davidson
• Mikey Day
• Heidi Gardner
• Colin Jost
• Kate McKinnon
• Alex Moffat
• Kyle Mooney
• Ego Nwodim
• Chris Redd
• Cecily Strong
• Kenan Thompson
• Melissa Villaseñor
• Andrew Dismukes
• Chloe Fineman
• Lauren Holt
• Punkie Johnson
• Bowen Yang

Season 46 of SNL featured a range of season regulars and new faces that joined the cast. SNL's Bowen Yang is just one of the rising stars that have recently joined the cast and made an impact on season 46. Fans were even treated to guest appearances from SNL alumni, like Leslie Jones who Regé-Jean Page reenacted a steamy Bridgerton scene with. 

Who is leaving SNL?

There typically comes a point when more seasoned SNL cast members decide to move on to other projects. As they leave behind the comedy show, it opens up room for new comedians to pursue a career in comedy and get their big shot on television. As we enter season 47 of SNL, we say goodbye to one season regular, and in a surprise twist, a fresh face who was with the show for one season. 

Beck Bennett

Beck was a series regular for eight seasons straight, starting his SNL career back in 2013, then was promoted to series regular in 2015. He announced his departure on Instagram saying, "Love you, SNL Gonna miss you so much Thank you for 8 years of remarkable people and incredible experiences that completely changed my life. I had so much fun."

Lauren Holt

After her first season on the comedy show, Lauren will also be departing SNL. The decision came after the creators decided they wanted to shake things up for the upcoming season. This was a surprise for most fans as the actress was considered a featured "player" in the SNL cast.

The star announced her departure on Instagram in a heartfelt post.

"What an incredible year spent with incredible people. I will always be so grateful. Cheers to all the cast members past, present, & future. So proud to be/have been a part of this amazing family. These three letters will always bring joy to my heart… SNL, I love you," she wrote.

SNL cast 2021—who's in it?

• Aristotle Athari
• James Austin Johnson
• Sarah Sherman
• Bowen Yang
• Chloe Fineman
• Aidy Bryant
• Kate McKinnon
• Cecily Strong
• Pete Davidson
• Michael Che
• Mikey Day
• Heidi Gardner 
• Colin Jost 
• Alex Moffat 
• Kyle Mooney 
• Ego Nwodim 
• Chris Redd 
• Kenan Thompson 
• Melissa Villaseñor 
• Andrew Dismukes  
• Punkie Johnson

SNL will be welcoming three new cast members to its lineup, which the show announced on Twitter.

"Welcome to the cast! Aristotle Athari, James Austin Johnson, Sarah Sherman," they wrote followed by the new casts' headshots.

As we say goodbye to a couple of SNL members, get ready to meet the new faces of the show and prepare to laugh as season 47 premieres October 2.

Along with the three new cast members, Bowen Yang and Chloe Fineman, who had both been appearing as featured players have been promoted to full cast members. More season regulars will also be returning to bring us hilarious new sketches.