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Canadian Comic Veronika Slowikowska Joins US Institution Saturday Night Live Cast Analysis by BBC News The iconic US late-night sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live (SNL), has completed a significant roster overhaul for its 51st season, officially announcing five new featured players. Among the new additions is Canadian actor and comedian Veronika Slowikowska, a move that signals the programme’s continuing strategy of integrating talent honed on digital platforms into traditional broadcast television. Ms. Slowikowska, 29, known for her viral sketch content and her work on the horror-comedy series What We Do in the Shadows, joins the cast following a period of high-profile departures from the long-running NBC series. Her inclusion is particularly notable as she is the only Canadian in the current line-up and is poised to bring a distinctive, internet-driven comedic voice to the famed Studio 8H stage in New York. The 51st season premiered on 4 October, marking the official on-air debut for the new cast members. Context of the Roster Shake-up The announcement of the new cast members on 2 September 2025 followed a substantial shake-up, with several established actors confirming their exit from the show. Departures included long-time mainstays and newer faces, creating openings for fresh talent. The shift is not unusual for SNL, which often undergoes cycles of renewal, but the scale of the changes ahead of the 51st season drew significant attention from industry watchers and fans alike. Ms. Slowikowska is joined by fellow newcomers Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Ben Marshall of the pre-existing segment Please Don’t Destroy.
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Her hiring is seen by some as a strategic choice by SNL creator Lorne Michaels to tap directly into the vast and dedicated audience she has cultivated online. Ms. Slowikowska, who goes by the handle "@veronika_iscool," has amassed a following of over 700,000 on TikTok and one million followers on Instagram, platforms where she first carved out her comedic identity. Transition from Viral Skits to Live Television Born in Barrie, Ontario, shortly after her parents immigrated to Canada from Poland, Ms. Slowikowska’s journey to the US comedy institution has followed a modern trajectory, blending formal training with digital experimentation. She pursued classical education at the Randolph College for the Performing Arts, graduating in 2015, and later completed the Canadian Film Centre’s Actor’s Conservatory in 2020. This foundation was initially applied through performance in the Toronto comedy scene, including improv work with the Bad Dog Theatre Company. However, it was her move to creating short-form, often absurdist and self-deprecating sketches online that propelled her to widespread recognition. Her unique style, frequently described as incorporating "awkward" and "dry humour," often features hilariously uncomfortable interactions with her co-host and roommate, Kyle Chase. The content proved highly relatable and shareable, leading to her viral fame. Prior to her move to SNL, she had already transitioned successfully into conventional television and film.
Her most widely recognised role to date was as Shanice in the FX horror-comedy series What We Do in the Shadows, appearing in five episodes across the first two seasons. She has also starred as the lead character Davey in the 2024 Hulu/Amazon Prime Video co-production Davey & Jonesie's Locker, and appeared in films such as the 2023 romantic comedy EXmas and the 2022 dramedy I Like Movies. More recently, she had a recurring role in the second season of the Netflix series Tires. The move from short, tightly edited social media clips to the high-pressure, live format of SNL’s weekly broadcast is often a challenging transition for new cast members. However, her background performing live improv in Toronto and her musical abilities—having released comedic singles such as "So Many Lies" and "Homesick"—suggest a versatility that may be well-suited to the demands of the show. Industry Reaction and Historical Significance The news was met with an outpouring of support from fans and fellow comedians. Ms. Slowikowska shared the news on her social media, capturing the magnitude of the achievement. In an Instagram post announcing the role, she simply wrote that it was a “dream come true. ” Industry observers highlighted the significance of her casting, not only as a reflection of digital media’s influence on mainstream talent acquisition but also in the context of SNL’s history with Canadian performers. Ms.
Slowikowska is the first Canadian female cast member hired since 1981, and the first Canadian cast member of any gender to be hired since 1994. One analysis suggested her style is likely to resonate strongly with a younger, digitally native audience. "Veronika Slowikowska's unique voice and sharp humour, developed over years of online content creation, is poised to bring a new dimension to the sketch comedy stage," noted one industry commentator ahead of the premiere, adding that her comedic risks made her a standout up-and-comer. Outlook Ms. Slowikowska’s debut performance in Season 51, which premiered with host Bad Bunny and musical guest Doja Cat, has been one of the most anticipated cast announcements of the season. As a featured player, she will have the opportunity to prove her range in front of a global, live audience. Her background in both traditional acting roles and viral, absurdist comedy positions her as a key player in the show's evolution, bridging the gap between conventional stardom and internet fame. Her success will likely be scrutinised as an indicator of how well digitally-developed talent can be successfully translated to the iconic format of network sketch comedy. The pressure to make an immediate impact is high, but her proven track record of creating compelling character-driven work suggests a strong potential for her to become a fixture in the show’s new era. The comedian has also been a guest on multiple popular comedy podcasts, where she has offered insights into her process and background, including an appearance on Senses Working Overtime with David Cross.
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