Current Status at a Glance
As of the present season, Kate McKinnon is not a current cast member of Saturday Night Live. She departed after the 2021–2022 season, which was her seventh season on the show. While she is no longer on the live weekly broadcast, her work continues to be referenced in discussions of SNL alumni. This article serves as a durable status clarification, outlining her tenure, key characters, and how to understand her place in the show's current lineup.
Tenure and Timeline
Kate McKinnon joined Saturday Night Live in 2012, rising to prominence through distinctive impressions and original characters. Her time on the show spanned several cultural moments and presidential cycles. Below is a concise timeline of her notable milestones:
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Joined SNL as a featured player | Marked the start of a multi-season run that would define her comedic voice |
| 2016–2017 season | Promoted to repertory status | Recognized as a core cast member, expanding her hosting and musical guest opportunities |
| 2021–2022 season | Final season on SNL | Departed after more than 40 episodes and over 300 episodes of overall exposure |
| Post-2022 | Not part of the regular cast | Continues to appear in other comedic and voice-acting projects, but not on SNL |
Notable Characters and Impressions
McKinnon’s run on SNL is remembered for a mix of sharp political impressions and invented characters that landed in live episodes. She frequently anchored Weekend Update and took on prominent figures in news and pop culture. Highlights include:
- Hillary Clinton and Elizabeth Warren, capturing cadence and public persona
- Seal, performing a recurring bit that leaned into physical comedy
- Kellyanne Conway and Ivanka Trump, offering pointed political satire
- Original creations like the astrologer and various Weekend Update sketches
These performances helped establish her as one of the show’s most versatile cast members during her tenure.
Departure and Succession
McKinnon’s exit was part of a broader cast transition, consistent with typical SNL turnover after several seasons. Her departure opened spots for new hires, enabling the show to refresh its ensemble while maintaining its live-event format. SNL has continued to evolve its cast lineup, but her exit marked the end of a notable chapter in the show’s mid-2010s to early-2020s identity.
How to Understand Her Current Relationship to SNL
Because SNL regularly revisits past cast members in retrospectives, anniversary episodes, and social clips, McKinnon’s name remains familiar to viewers. However, the show’s current cast produces new material each week without her involvement. It is accurate to describe her as a former cast member whose work continues to be celebrated, but who is not actively appearing on the program.
Legacy and Cultural Footprint
Even after leaving the show, McKinnon’s impressions and characters remain touchstones in conversation about SNL political satire. Her work contributed to broader discussions about gender and representation on the show. While future seasons may bring new faces, her influence on the show’s tone during her years is a durable part of its history.
Where to Find Current SNL Updates
For ongoing questions about who is on SNL this season, the most reliable sources are NBC’s official announcements, the show’s social channels, and its on-air credits. Treat claims about cast status as season-specific: cast rosters change annually, and only the current season’s lineup reflects who is actively hosting, performing, and writing for the show.