SNL adds Chloe Fineman, Shane Gillis and Bowen Yang to Season 45 cast

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

Shortly after it was announced that Leslie Jones would be exiting her turn on Saturday Night Live after five years, word has come down the wire that three new talents have been added to the cast for Season 45 of the late night comedy show. The new players to be featured on the time-honored variety sketch program are Chloe Fineman, Shane Gillis and Bowen Yang.

Fineman made a name for herself at the 2018 Just For Laughs Festival in Montreal in addition to being a featured performer at the Groundlings, an improvisational and sketch comedy troupe and school based in Los Angeles, California. Gillis, who was recently recognized as a New Face at the 2019 Just for Laughs Festival, will also take his place among other comedic greats belonging to SNL's 45th season. Last but certainly not least is Bowen Yang, who for the last year has served as a member of SNL's writing staff and is a co-host of the "Las Culturistas" podcast.

Last month, it was announced that SNL alum Eddie Murphy will be returning to the show to host an episode of the upcoming season. News of Murphy's appearance set comedy news feeds world on fire when word got out, seeing as the spot would mark his first time hosting the SNL since 1984.

Season 45 will start with a bang when it airs live coast-to-cost with ZOMBIELAND 2: DOUBLE-TAP and MIDWAY actor Woody Harrelson hosting the first episode with musical guest Billie Eilish. Other celebrities scheduled to host episodes of SNL's forty fifth season are Phobe Waller-Bridge on October 5, with musical guest Taylor Swift; HELLBOY and BLACK WIDOW actor David Harbour will host with Camila Cabello serving as musical guest on October 12; while Kristen Stewart will host for her second time on November 12. The musical guest for Stewart's hosting gig has yet to be determined at this time.

Are you excited to check out Saturday Night Live's 45th season? Let us know in the comments section below.