Saturday Night Live adds 2 new writers ahead of season 52 premiere

The new season kicks off this weekend, hosted by Jalen Brunson.

By Olivia Singh  |  September 25, 2026 | 1:23pm
Photo: NBC
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Saturday Night Live adds 2 new writers ahead of season 52 premiere

Season 52 of Saturday Night Live is almost here, and more pieces are starting to fall into place. Vulture reports that SNL hired two new writers, Bam Alston and Chase Rosenberg. Alston is an actor and comedian who previously worked with the Mettlesome Theater and Washington Improv Theater. Rosenberg, also an actor, has notably worked with The Groundlings, the legendary LA improv and sketch comedy school and theater. The news of the new hires follows the recent departures of writers Martin Herlihy and Rachel Pegram. 

Most of the core SNL cast will return, including Marcello Hernández, Sarah Sherman, Colin Jost, Michael Che, and yes, Kenan Thompson. Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter will be joining as featured players for season 52. The new installment will be noticeably missing Bowen Yang, who left in the middle of season 51, and Chloe Fineman, who announced her exit in July.

Knicks point guard Jalen Brunson, who had a surprise appearance alongside Mariska Hargitay at the Emmys, will be making his SNL debut as the host of the season 52 premiere this weekend with musical guest KATSEYE (down to four members while two are on hiatus). After Brunson, Dakota Johnson, Shane Gillis, and Inde Navarrette will host the October episodes, with Navarrette’s breakout year continuing after the box-office success of Obsession and her recent casting as Rogue in Marvel’s latest X-Men reboot. 

 
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