‘Saturday Night Live’ season 52 cast changes: See who isn’t coming back

Saturday Night Live has officially commenced its 52nd season, premiering on September 26, 2026. The premiere episode features New York Knicks player Jalen Brunson as the host and the musical group KATSEYE as the musical guest, both of whom are making their debut appearances on the show. Coverage from NBC News and The Hollywood Reporter confirms the season kickoff, while Rolling Stone and Yahoo have provided details on how viewers can watch the Jalen Brunson and KATSEYE episode live online for free. The launch of the new season coincides with significant shifts in the ensemble, as NJ.com specifically highlights cast changes and identifies members who are not returning for this season. Major entertainment outlets including Deadline and USA Today are focusing on the introduction of the new cast members.

Specifically, Grace Reiter and Saidah Belo-Osagie are noted for their previous presence on TikTok before joining the show. Furthermore, a debut by a Chi-Hi graduate is being celebrated with a community screening at Micon, according to WEAU. The coverage emphasizes a blend of digital-native talent and athletic stars, with NBA.com and Sports Illustrated analyzing the broader trend of NBA stars hosting the program and reflecting on the best athlete-led moments of the century leading up to Brunson's appearance. Contextual reports from the Los Angeles Times examine the current state of the show and general expectations for Season 52. The season opens amidst other project launches involving the show's orbit; Yahoo reports that a highly anticipated television show featuring Jalen Brunson and Colin Jost premiered on Peacock on the same day as the SNL premiere.

Additionally, Men's Journal reports that a new Netflix workplace comedy set in a pizza shop will feature one of the newly added SNL cast members, illustrating the crossover of the show's talent into other streaming platforms. Observers will be watching for the chemistry of the new ensemble and the impact of the season's cast turnover. Billboard notes that KATSEYE is ready for their debut, though it specifies that a promo still was missing member Sophia. The New York Times suggests that viewers should look for potential cameos from Jalen Brunson's Knicks teammates. Future coverage is expected to detail the specific identities of the departing cast members mentioned by NJ.com and the performance of the new recruits in their debut sketches.