SNL 2026 casting showcases spotlight comedians in three cities
Deadline named reported standouts from SNL’s five 2026 showcases, but no Season 52 hires or screen-test recipients have been confirmed.
By Bianca Rossi · Entertainment Editor
2 min read
SNL 2026 casting showcases have wrapped in Los Angeles, Chicago and New York, with Deadline reporting a handful of comedians drew particular notice as the show looks toward its fall season. The names are audition buzz, not a cast announcement: no performer has been confirmed as a new hire or as a screen-test recipient.
Deadline’s unnamed sources said Peyton Ruddy stood out in Chicago, while people in New York were said to be “raving” about Joey Welsh. The trade outlet reported that calls to talent moving to screen tests had started, but did not name anyone who received one.
Who stood out at the SNL 2026 casting showcases?
Deadline reported that Trent Mason, Kaba Hues, Chase Rosenberg and April Rock emerged from the Los Angeles event. Ruddy was the performer singled out from Chicago.
For New York, Deadline highlighted Welsh alongside Allisha Edwards, Amber Singletary and Saidah Belo-Osagie. These names reflect reporting from the showcases, not a ranking released by NBC or Saturday Night Live.
Los Angeles: Trent Mason, Kaba Hues, Chase Rosenberg and April Rock, according to Deadline.
Chicago: Peyton Ruddy, whom Deadline’s sources said “dominated.”
New York: Joey Welsh, Allisha Edwards, Amber Singletary and Saidah Belo-Osagie, according to Deadline.
Deadline also said Ismael Loutfi, Ethan Edenburg, Eric Jackowitz and Tom McGovern caught its attention during the process. It did not put those performers in the same primary standout group. The outlet identified Edenburg, Jackowitz and McGovern as members of comedy rock band Wolves of Glendale.
When were the SNL showcases held?
Deadline reported five events in total. The Los Angeles “Characters Showcase” was held August 6. Chicago followed at the Annoyance Theatre on August 10 and The iO Theater on August 11, then New York events took place at UCB on August 17 and 18.
Two names, Leo Gonzalez and Megan Ramsey, appeared on both Deadline’s Chicago and New York lists. The outlet said the reason was unclear.
There is still plenty of room for the final lineup to change. Deadline cautioned that its lists might omit performers and that comedians who did not take part in a showcase could still be asked to test. SNL representatives did not respond to Deadline’s requests for comment.
At the time of Deadline’s August 19 report, it described Chloe Fineman’s departure after seven seasons as the only Season 52 cast change announced. Deadline also reported that unnamed representatives had discussed adding Black female representation following Ego Nwodim’s 2025 exit, though SNL had not confirmed that as a casting goal.
This story draws on original reporting from Deadline.