Who is Veronika Slowikowska? “Saturday Night Live” expands cast ahead of season 51
Veronika Slowikowska Joins SNL: Everything to Know About the Viral Comedy Star
“Saturday Night Live” is refreshing its lineup as it heads into a new season, following the recent exit of four cast members.
NBC announced on Monday that five fresh faces will join the sketch comedy institution as feature players: Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska.
Marshall is no stranger to the show, having already been a staff writer since 2021 and appearing on-screen as part of the comedy trio Please Don’t Destroy. The others bring their own brand of comedy from various platforms, particularly TikTok, where Culhane, Patterson, and Slowikowska have built large audiences.
Slowikowska, who has nearly 700,000 TikTok followers, is also recognized for her recurring role on FX’s What We Do in the Shadows. Culhane has made appearances in HBO Max’s The Sex Lives of College Girls and the reboot of Heathers. Patterson, best known for his stand-up, will also feature in the upcoming Netflix comedy 72 Hours starring Kevin Hart. Brennan, meanwhile, has performed comedy sketches on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Their arrival follows the confirmed departures of Heidi Gardner, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim, who will not return for season 51.
The new season of SNL premieres October 4.
Who is Veronika Slowikowska?
Veronika Slowikowska, born in 1995 in Barrie, Ontario, is a Canadian actress and comedian whose journey reflects both discipline and daring creativity. She trained at Randolph College for the Performing Arts and further honed her craft at Toronto’s Second City Conservatory. In 2020, she graduated from the Canadian Film Centre’s prestigious Actor’s Conservatory, equipping herself with the professional foundation that now complements her natural comedic instincts.
Her career began with sketch comedy through the troupe My Chemical Bromance before transitioning into television, where she played Shanice in the hit FX comedy What We Do in the Shadows. That role gave audiences an early glimpse of her knack for quirky, scene-stealing performances.
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She later broadened her portfolio with appearances in projects such as Homeschooled, EZRA, the holiday comedy EXmas, and the sci-fi series Davey & Jonesie’s Locker. These credits demonstrate not only her comedic ability but also her adaptability across genres.
Like many actors navigating the uncertainties of the industry, Slowikowska leaned into digital platforms during downtime and the actors’ strike. What began as casual experimentation soon turned into a viral breakthrough. Posting surreal and oddball sketches on TikTok and Instagram—often in collaboration with her roommates Kyle Chase and Michael Rees—she developed a signature style marked by awkwardness, absurdity, and fearless humor. One of her most shared videos involved smashing her face into a cake, shifting abruptly from lighthearted silliness to melodramatic despair. Another saw her throwing a tantrum in a driveway, lamenting being excluded from a Charli XCX music video. These sketches showcased her willingness to embrace what she calls “ugly comedy,” a brand of humor that thrives on exaggeration, self-awareness, and chaos.
Her viral success, which has amassed hundreds of thousands of followers, is more than a social media milestone—it’s proof of her ability to connect with audiences in authentic and unfiltered ways. This digital resonance is precisely why Saturday Night Live’s decision to add her as a feature player is so timely. As the show enters its 51st season after the departure of several cast members, it needs new voices who can bridge the gap between traditional television and the internet-first humor shaping younger generations.
Slowikowska’s background makes her an especially smart pick. On one hand, she has the rigorous training and screen experience necessary to thrive in SNL’s demanding live environment. On the other, she embodies the raw, creator-driven voice that resonates with Gen-Z and millennial audiences who crave comedy that feels personal and unpolished. Her work already proves she can move seamlessly between scripted roles and spontaneous, offbeat performances—a duality that gives her flexibility in sketches ranging from character-driven bits to chaotic ensemble pieces.
Her addition to SNL also represents a broader trend: the elevation of internet creators into mainstream comedy. Unlike performers who build fame through polished Hollywood projects, Slowikowska built hers by experimenting with simple setups and letting her personality carry the humor. In doing so, she developed a loyal fan base that will likely follow her to television, helping SNL capture new audiences at a time when traditional TV viewership is shifting.
In essence, Veronika Slowikowska brings both credibility and freshness to Saturday Night Live. Her professional training ensures she can hold her own alongside seasoned performers, while her viral presence guarantees she brings cultural relevance and a built-in fan base. She embodies the blend of traditional talent and modern creativity that SNL needs to remain a dominant force in comedy. With the new season premiering October 4, all eyes will be on Slowikowska as she steps onto the Studio 8H stage, ready to prove why she is one of comedy’s most exciting rising stars.
