“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
Stephanie Nelson; Sam Cashell; Sio Hornbuckle
From left: Ashley Padilla, Emil Wakim, Jane Wickline join SNL season 50 castSaturday 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."
Related: Maya Rudolph to Return to Saturday Night Live to Play Kamala Harris in Season 50
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.
Arin Sang-urai
Chloe Troast, SNLTroast 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."
Mary Ellen Matthews/NBC (3)
Marcello Hernandez, Michael Longfellow and Devon WalkerAlong 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.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer??, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Saturday Night Live season 50 premieres Saturday, Sept. 28 at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
