As Saturday Night Live gears up for its 50th season, it was widely anticipated that Maya Rudolph would reprise her role as Kamala Harris. Rudolph first portrayed Harris during the 2019 Democratic primary moments, and with Harris now in the presidential race, it was fitting for Rudolph to return.
This campaign also introduces new figures to the national political landscape, though they have no prior ties to the SNL cast. During the season premiere, fans were treated to the actors who will embody these new characters throughout the 2024 elections. Jim Gaffigan has taken on the role of Harris’ running mate, Tim Walz, while Andy Samberg made his comeback as Doug Emhoff, Harris’ husband.
The inaugural sketch of the season revealed that James Austin Johnson will continue his portrayal of Trump, while Bowen Yang steps into the shoes of Trump’s running mate, JD Vance.
One of the standout moments was Dana Carvey’s return to the show as Joe Biden. Biden has proven to be a challenging character for SNL to capture effectively, with numerous actors, including Jason Sudeikis, Woody Harrelson, John Mulaney, Jim Carrey, Alex Moffat, and Mikey Day, all having taken their shot at embodying the sitting president. Carvey hasn’t hosted since 2011 but has made appearances to bring back his well-known “church lady” character.
It’s uncertain how frequently the actors will don their respective roles. With the election approaching quickly, it’s likely that their appearances may be limited.