What happened to Marcello Hernández and Ashley Padilla in SNL’s new cast announcement? Who stays and who is leaving

Saturday Night Live has finally revealed its Season 52 lineup, and for fans of Marcello Hernández and Ashley Padilla, the announcement brings good news for both, although not quite in the same way. Hernández remains part of SNL’s main repertory cast, while Padilla is not only returning but has officially been promoted from featured player to repertory player.

Marcello Hernández is staying

Hernández will return for another season after joining SNL in 2022 and developing into one of the show’s most recognizable younger performers. NBC included him among the returning cast members alongside Kenan Thompson, Michael Che, Colin Jost, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, James Austin Johnson and Sarah Sherman. In other words, there was no surprise exit for Hernández in this year’s shakeup.

Ashley Padilla got even better news

Padilla’s name also remains on the board, but her status has changed. After joining SNL as a featured player for Season 50, she has now been promoted to the repertory cast for Season 52, alongside Jane Wickline. The promotion effectively moves Padilla into SNL’s main cast after two seasons proving herself on the show.

So who is leaving SNL?

The biggest absence from the new lineup is Chloe Fineman, who is departing after seven seasons. Bowen Yang is also gone, although his exit came during Season 51 rather than as part of this week’s announcement. Writer and occasional performer Martin Herlihy, known for Please Don’t Destroy, is leaving as well.

Two new names are taking their shot

The turnover opens the door for Saidah Belo-Osagie and Grace Reiter, who join Season 52 as new featured players. Belo-Osagie is a Queens comedian, writer and director, while Reiter has worked as an actor, writer and director and built an audience through online comedy. They join returning featured players Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson and Veronika Slowikowska.

So for viewers looking specifically for the two Latino names generating interest around the cast announcement, there is no Marcello Hernández departure to worry about, while Ashley Padilla enters the new season with a promotion. Season 52 premieres September 26 on NBC, with Jalen Brunson hosting and KATSEYE as musical guest.