The 2017 Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast underwent a significant "changing of the guard" as the show transitioned from Season 42 to Season 43. This pivotal year saw the departure of veterans Bobby Moynihan and Vanessa Bayer and the arrival of breakout stars Heidi Gardner and Chris Redd. The 2017 lineup was anchored by stalwarts like Kenan Thompson and Kate McKinnon during a period of record-breaking ratings driven by intense political satire.
The Landscape of Saturday Night Live in 2017
To understand the 2017 SNL cast, one must view the year as two distinct halves. The first half of 2017 concluded Season 42, a year defined by its aggressive lampooning of the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election and the early months of the Trump administration. The second half of 2017 launched Season 43, which premiered on September 30, 2017, with host Ryan Gosling and musical guest Jay-Z.
This era was a renaissance for the long-running NBC sketch comedy series. In 2017, the show won several Primetime Emmy Awards, including Outstanding Variety Sketch Series. The cast was not just a group of comedians; they were cultural commentators at a time when late-night television had become a primary source of news analysis for many viewers. The internal chemistry of the cast shifted as long-term players exited, making room for a "freshman class" that would eventually define the show for the next half-decade.
The Full Season 43 Lineup (Fall 2017)
When the 43rd season kicked off in late 2017, the cast was divided into two tiers: Repertory Players (the senior members) and Featured Players (the newer members or those on a probationary period).
Repertory Players
The repertory cast consisted of the seasoned veterans who handled the majority of the leading roles in sketches and appeared in the opening credits during the main "starring" announcement.
- Beck Bennett: Known for his physical comedy and deadpan delivery, Bennett often played authoritative figures or the "straight man" in absurd scenarios.
- Aidy Bryant: A powerhouse of character work, Bryant’s ability to play both innocent and unhinged characters made her a cornerstone of the 2017 lineup.
- Michael Che: Serving as the co-anchor of "Weekend Update" and a co-head writer, Che brought a sharp, observational edge to the show's news segment.
- Pete Davidson: Often appearing as himself or the recurring character "Chad," Davidson’s popularity with younger demographics was a key asset in 2017.
- Leslie Jones: Known for her high-energy performances and legendary "Weekend Update" rants, Jones was a breakout star during this period.
- Colin Jost: The co-anchor of "Weekend Update" alongside Che, Jost also served as a co-head writer, shaping the show's overall comedic voice.
- Kate McKinnon: Arguably the show's biggest star in 2017, McKinnon’s impressions of Hillary Clinton, Kellyanne Conway, and Jeff Sessions were central to the show’s success.
- Kyle Mooney: Specializing in awkward, niche, and digital-short-style humor, Mooney provided a unique "alternative" comedy voice.
- Cecily Strong: A versatile performer capable of carrying both high-concept sketches and character-driven pieces like "The Girl You Wish You Hadn't Started a Conversation With at a Party."
- Kenan Thompson: By 2017, Thompson was already the longest-tenured cast member in SNL history, serving as the show’s most reliable comedic "glue."
Featured Players
The featured players in 2017 included both returning members from the previous year and three brand-new additions.
- Mikey Day: After several years as a writer, Day moved to the cast in late 2016. By 2017, he was becoming one of the most prolific writers and performers on the show.
- Alex Moffat: Known for his impressions (including Eric Trump) and his "Guy Who Just Bought a Boat" character on Weekend Update.
- Melissa Villaseñor: The show’s first Latina cast member, Villaseñor gained fame for her incredible range of celebrity impressions, from Owen Wilson to Gwen Stefani.
- Heidi Gardner (New): Joining in the fall of 2017, Gardner quickly established herself with deeply realized characters like "Angel, Every Box Office Every Girl."
- Chris Redd (New): A high-energy performer and skilled rapper, Redd brought a new dynamic to the show’s musical sketches and digital shorts.
- Luke Null (New): A musical comedian who joined in 2017 but struggled to find consistent screen time in a very crowded and veteran-heavy cast.
Notable Departures and Changes in 2017
The transition into the 2017 fall season was marked by the loss of three significant performers who had helped define the early 2010s era of the show.
Bobby Moynihan
After nine seasons, Bobby Moynihan departed in May 2017. Moynihan was a beloved "utility player," capable of playing everything from the "Drunk Uncle" on Weekend Update to various intense, screaming characters. His departure left a void in the "everyman" roles that Beck Bennett and Mikey Day eventually filled.
Vanessa Bayer
Bayer also left in May 2017 after seven seasons. She was known for her "theatrical" energy and characters who were desperately trying to remain polite while losing their minds (such as the "Totino's Pizza Rolls" lady). Her absence forced the show to find new ways to utilize its female cast members, particularly Aidy Bryant and Cecily Strong.
Sasheer Zamata
Zamata departed after four seasons in 2017. While she was a talented performer, she often struggled to find recurring characters that clicked with the audience in the way McKinnon’s or Strong’s did. Her departure led to a broader discussion about how the show utilizes its minority talent, a conversation that Chris Redd’s hiring aimed to address.
Comparative Cast Structure: Season 42 vs. Season 43
The following table illustrates the shift in the cast lineup that occurred during the 2017 calendar year.
| Cast Member | Status (Early 2017 - S42) | Status (Late 2017 - S43) | Role/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenan Thompson | Repertory | Repertory | Longest-tenured member. |
| Kate McKinnon | Repertory | Repertory | Key political impressions. |
| Bobby Moynihan | Repertory | Departed | Famous for "Drunk Uncle." |
| Vanessa Bayer | Repertory | Departed | Expert at "awkward" polite characters. |
| Sasheer Zamata | Repertory | Departed | Skilled sketch performer. |
| Mikey Day | Featured | Featured | Rapidly became a lead writer/performer. |
| Alex Moffat | Featured | Featured | Known for Eric Trump and Update characters. |
| Melissa Villaseñor | Featured | Featured | Master impressionist. |
| Heidi Gardner | N/A | Featured (New) | Character specialist from The Groundlings. |
| Chris Redd | N/A | Featured (New) | Energy-driven performer and rapper. |
| Luke Null | N/A | Featured (New) | Musical comedy specialist. |
The Impact of Guest Stars and "The Trump Effect"
In 2017, the "cast" of SNL effectively extended beyond the listed contract players. Due to the high-stakes political environment, executive producer Lorne Michaels frequently utilized celebrity guests to play recurring political figures.
Alec Baldwin became a semi-permanent fixture of the 2017 cast through his portrayal of President Donald Trump. While Baldwin was never a cast member, his presence was so constant that he won the Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series in 2017 for the role. This started a trend of "stunt casting" that sometimes drew criticism for taking screen time away from the actual cast members.
Similarly, Melissa McCarthy made legendary guest appearances in early 2017 as Press Secretary Sean Spicer. Her "Spicey" sketches were cultural phenomena, further cementing 2017 as one of the most-watched years in the show's history. These guest spots created a unique dynamic where the actual 2017 SNL cast had to work harder to make their original characters stand out against the noise of high-profile political cameos.
Why 2017 Was a Pivotal Year for SNL
The 2017 cast had to navigate the most polarized political climate in modern American history. The show’s "cold opens" became mandatory viewing for millions, often being shared virally on Sunday mornings. According to Nielsen ratings, Season 42 (which ended in 2017) was the show's most-watched season in 23 years.
This pressure fell on the shoulders of the 2017 cast. While Kate McKinnon and Alec Baldwin handled the heavy lifting of the political satire, the rest of the cast worked to ensure the show didn't become only about politics. This led to a surge in creative digital shorts and surrealist humor from the likes of Kyle Mooney and the writing team that included future stars like Bowen Yang (who was a writer before joining the cast in later years).
The Rise of the "Featured" Players
In many years, "Featured Players" are relegated to the background. However, in 2017, the line between Repertory and Featured was thin. Mikey Day and Alex Moffat were appearing in nearly every episode, often in lead roles. This was a testament to the talent of the 2017 freshman and sophomore classes. Heidi Gardner, specifically, had a breakout first year, proving that the show's scouting of Los Angeles-based improv troupes (The Groundlings) was still yielding top-tier results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the new cast members in SNL 2017?
The new cast members who joined in the fall of 2017 (Season 43) were Heidi Gardner, Chris Redd, and Luke Null. Heidi Gardner came from The Groundlings, Chris Redd was known for his role in the film Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, and Luke Null was a musical comedian from Chicago’s iO Theater.
Which SNL cast members left in 2017?
Bobby Moynihan, Vanessa Bayer, and Sasheer Zamata all left the show at the end of Season 42 in May 2017. Bobby Moynihan left to star in his own CBS sitcom, Me, Myself & I, while Vanessa Bayer moved on to various film and television projects after a highly successful seven-year run.
Who played Donald Trump on SNL in 2017?
Alec Baldwin played Donald Trump throughout 2017. Although he was a guest and not a regular cast member, he appeared in almost every episode during the spring and fall of 2017 to satirize the president's first year in office.
Who were the Weekend Update anchors in 2017?
Colin Jost and Michael Che were the anchors of "Weekend Update" throughout 2017. This year was particularly significant for them as they were also named co-head writers of the show in December 2017, alongside Kent Sublette and Bryan Tucker.
Was Kenan Thompson on the cast in 2017?
Yes, Kenan Thompson was a central member of the repertory cast in 2017. At that time, he was already the longest-serving cast member in the show's history, a record he continues to extend.
Final Thoughts on the 2017 Lineup
The 2017 SNL cast was a bridge between two eras. It retained the seasoned expertise of performers like Bayer and Moynihan for the first half of the year, while successfully integrating a high-energy "new guard" in the second half. This cast successfully navigated the transition from the frantic energy of the 2016 election into the sustained, high-pressure environment of 2017's political reality.
For viewers looking to revisit this era, the episodes from late 2017 represent a high-water mark for the show's cultural relevance. Whether through the viral success of sketches like "Papyrus" (starring Ryan Gosling and written by Julio Torres) or the sharp political commentary of Kate McKinnon, the 2017 lineup proved that Saturday Night Live could still dominate the conversation in its fourth decade.
