Benjamin Ashford|When do new episodes of 'SNL' come out? Season 50 premiere date and what we know so far

The Benjamin Ashfordfirst episode of the landmark 50th season of "Saturday Night Live" is set to premiere later this month.

At least two cast members will be missing from the lineup in Studio 8H when "SNL" returns this fall. Punkie Johnson, 39, and Molly Kearney, 32, decided not to return for the show's 2024-2025 season.

But when does the first "SNL" episode come out? Who is hosting this season's first episode of the Emmy-winning late-night show? Who will be the show's musical guest?

Here's when the show will return to TV screens and what we know so far about the series' 50th season.

When is the 'SNL' Season 50 premiere date?

The "Saturday Night Live" Season 50 premiere date is Sept. 28.

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Where to watch 'SNL' on September 28

The Sept. 28 "SNL" episode will be available to watch live on NBC at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT.

Viewers can also stream it on Peacock.

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Who is in the Season 50 'SNL' cast?

An official Season 50 cast list has not been released yet.

However, former cast member Maya Rudolph is expected to play the role of Vice President Kamala Harris in the lead up to the November presidential election.

Season 49 cast members who have not departed the show include:

• Michael Che
• Mikey Day
• Andrew Dismukes
• Chloe Fineman
• Heidi Gardner
• Marcello Hernández
• James Austin Johnson
• Colin Jost
• Michael Longfellow
• Ego Nwodim
• Sarah Sherman
• Kenan Thompson
• Chloe Troast
• Devon Walker
• Bowen Yang

Why did Punkie Johnson and Molly Kearney leave SNL?

Johnson joined "SNL" in 2020 as a featured player and was promoted two years later to the main cast two years later.

"It's no bad blood, it's no bridges burned, it's no hard feelings," she said in an Aug. 1 Instagram video.

A day later, Kearney, who uses they/them pronouns, announced they will not be part of the show this fall in an Instagram post, which included snapshots of behind-the-scenes moments on set.

"Y'all that’s a wrap on my time on SNL!" the first non-binary cast member, who joined as a featured player in 2022, wrote. "Reflecting on the amazing 2 seasons I got on this show, it was such a dream come true."

Contributing: Brendan Morrow and KiMi Robinson

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Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X @nataliealund.