Saturday Night Live season 52

Before the start of the season, longtime cast member Chloe Fineman, who had been on the show since 2019, departed after seven seasons.^[2]

Talent showcases for the season began on August 19, 2026, where standouts would be given a screen test. Notable names from the showcases included social media sketch comic and American High cast member Grace Reiter, stand-up comic and Los Espookys co-creator Ana Fabrega; and comedy rock trio Wolves of Glendale, consisting of Ethan Edenburg, Eric Jackowitz, and Tom McGovern.^[3]

On September 16, two new cast members were announced: comedian and filmmaker Saidah Belo-Osagie and the aforementioned Reiter.^[4] Born in 2001, Reiter is the first cast member born in the 2000s. Ashley Padilla and Jane Wickline, who joined in season 50, were promoted to repertory status, while Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska, who all joined the previous season, remained as featured players.

bold denotes "Weekend Update" anchor

On September 9, 2026, it was announced that longtime writer and collaborator Martin Herlihy would be leaving after five seasons on the show, since 2021.^[5] Herlihy is the second member of sketch comedy trio Please Don't Destroy to leave the show after John Higgins left prior to season 51.

On September 25, 2026, two new writers were announced to have joined the writing staff: Upright Citizens Brigade performer Bam Alston and Groundlings Main Company alum Chase Rosenberg.^[6]

Additionally, writer Jake Nordwind, who joined the show in 2021, was promoted to writing supervisor, joining longtime writers Dan Bulla and Will Stephen.^[7]