Overview of the 2017 Season
The 2017 season of Saturday Night Live corresponds to Season 43, which aired from October 2016 through May 2017. This period reflects a transitional moment for the show’s cast and writing staff, with shifts in repertory status and new talent joining midseason. The following reference details the featured players and repertory cast members active during the 2017 calendar year, anchored to episodes hosted that season and key personnel moves. It is intended as an evergreen summary of who was in the cast in 2017 and how the lineup compared with prior years.
Featured Players in 2017
Featured players are hired seasonally and typically appear across episodes as featured players before the show may elevate them to repertory or let them go. During the 2017 season, the following performers held featured status at various points, with some moving to repertory later in the season or in subsequent years. Accurate tracking of promotions and departures helps clarify who was actively featured in each portion of the season.
Midseason Promotions and New Faces
Midseason hiring is common on SNL, and 2017 followed this pattern by adding new talent to bolster the roster. Several featured players gained wider recognition during their time on the show, contributing to recurring segments and impressions that resonated with audiences. The list below summarizes confirmed featured players for 2017 and notable timing of their promotion or departure.
| Cast Member | Role in 2017 | Notes and Episode Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Mikey Day | Featured player (early 2017), promoted to repertory | Joined midseason; notable impressions and writing contributions; remained on the show post-2017. |
| Alex Moffat | Featured player (early 2017), promoted to repertory | Promoted alongside Day; known for political impressions and consistent presence across episodes. |
| Cecily Strong | Featured player at start, repertory for most of the season | Returned after a hiatus in season 42; anchored many monologues and Weekend Update segments. |
| Heidi Gardner | Featured player (entire 2017 season) | Continued as a featured player through the season; later promoted to repertory in subsequent years. |
| Andrew Dismukes | Featured player (hired late 2017) | Began partway through the season; brought new character work and impressions to later episodes. |
Repertory Cast in 2017
Repertory players are the core cast members who appear in most episodes and often host or musical guests. During 2017, SNL’s repertory roster reflected a blend of established performers and newer additions, with some cast members returning after stints away. This section identifies the confirmed repertory cast members for episodes in 2017 and how their presence shaped the season’s dynamics.
Core Repertory Lineup
The following individuals were part of the repertory cast during the 2017 season, anchoring the show’s recurring characters and major sketches. Their stability across episodes contributed to a cohesive tone for the season while allowing room for featured players to transition into repertory.
- Michael Che — Weekend Update anchor and recurring character work throughout the season.
- Colin Jost — Weekend Update co-anchor and host of several episodes; strong presence in political satire.
- Kate McKinnon — Long-running repertory member known for celebrity impressions and digital-style sketches.
- Sasheer Zamata — Returned to repertory in 2017 after prior seasons; vocal work and impressions remained a highlight.
- Leslie Jones — Repertory member through much of the period, contributing to ensemble-driven humor.
- Melissa Villaseñor — Continued as repertory, with musical impressions and character comedy.
Notable Departures and Transitions
Cast changes are a regular part of SNL’s evolution, and 2017 included notable transitions that affected the season’s lineup. Some featured players were not renewed, while repertory members departed or reduced their involvement. Understanding these shifts clarifies why the cast appeared differently across episodes in 2017 and how the show adapted midseason.
Players Departing After Season 42 or Early in 2017
A handful of cast members left the show ahead of the 2017–2018 season or during the latter part of Season 43. Their exits created opportunities for new hires and influenced the creative direction of later episodes. The table below summarizes confirmed departures around the 2017 timeframe and the months in which they occurred.
| Cast Member | Last Season or Date | Reason or Context |
|---|---|---|
| Beck Bennett | End of Season 42 (2017) | Departed after six seasons; pursued other creative projects. |
| Jay Pharoah | End of Season 42 (2017) | Left after five seasons; returned for occasional hosting afterward. |
| Bobby Moynihan | End of Season 42 (2017) | Departed after nine seasons; continued with voice and comedy work. |
| Seth Meyers | Departed in 2014 | Earlier departure; relevant as context for writers and cast moving into hosting roles by 2017. |
Impact of Host and Musical Guest Choices
SNL episodes in 2017 featured a wide range of hosts and musical guests that influenced which cast members appeared prominently in sketches and musical segments. Hosts often interact with both repertory and featured players, shaping the onscreen dynamics for each week. This section connects notable host appearances to cast involvement and highlights patterns in how the season balanced legacy and newer talent.
Host-Driven Cast Moments
High-profile hosts can elevate featured players and repertory members through tailored sketches. During 2017, several episodes showcased standout chemistry between the host and cast, resulting in viral moments and sustained character ideas. The interplay between host and cast defined many of the season’s memorable segments and helped integrate new talent.
- Episodes featuring prominent actors and comedians generally allowed both repertory and featured players to stretch into character work beyond typical impressions.
- Musical guests often participated in pre-taped sketches, which created space for cast members to collaborate in tighter, more focused comedic setups.
- The rotation of hosts across the season ensured varied opportunities for cast members to lead sketches, anchor Weekend Update, and contribute to the show’s evolving tone.
Season Summary and Legacy
The 2017 season represents a period of adjustment for SNL, with deliberate changes to the cast lineup intended to refresh the show while retaining its core strengths. By midseason, new featured players such as Mikey Day and Alex Moffat had moved into repertory, while Cecily Strong’s return provided continuity. Departures opened doors for fresh voices in the following seasons, and the balance of repertory versus featured players influenced the show’s output across 2017. This reference captures the cast composition as it stood in 2017 and highlights pivotal transitions that shaped the season’s trajectory.
FAQ
Reader questions
Who were the featured players promoted to repertory in 2017?
Mikey Day and Alex Moffat were promoted to repertory status after starting the season as featured players. Their midseason promotions reflected their strong performances and contributions to writing and sketches.
Were any cast members let go midseason in 2017?
No cast members were removed midseason during the 2017 calendar year. Transition points occurred at the end of Season 42 and into 2017, with departures taking effect ahead of the subsequent season.
How did the 2017 cast compare to previous seasons in terms of stability?
The 2017 roster was relatively stable compared with earlier years that saw frequent midseason changes. The move to repertory for Day and Moffat signaled an investment in experienced featured players, while core repertory members maintained a consistent presence across episodes.