'Saturday Night Live' has debuted its new cast of political characters. Here's who is playing who.

Sun, 09/29/2024 - 17:21

Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris and Andy Samberg as Doug Emhoff on — Maya Rudolph and Andy Samberg on "Saturday Night Live."
NBC/Getty Images

"Saturday Night Live" premiered its 50th season on NBC.
The cast portrayed leading political figures during the episode.
Maya Rudolph appeared as Vice President Kamala Harris, while Bowen Yang played Ohio Sen. JD Vance.

"Saturday Night Live" began its 50th season lampooning the upcoming US presidential election. There was a lot of material from which to draw.

The cameras were rolling live in 30 Rockefeller Plaza's studio 8H as former and current cast members tackled the 2024 presidential race and two of the biggest scandals of the election season.

The sketch comedy series has long influenced American politics and has been a key stop on the campaign trail for many candidates, including Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

Research published in 2012 found that Tina Fey's portrayal of former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin may have even influenced the public's perception of her before the 2008 presidential election, according to The Washington Post.

Fans of the show had wondered who its producer, Lorne Michaels, would tap to play some of the key political roles.

Here's who's playing who this year.

Maya Rudolph will reprise her role as Vice President Kamala Harris.

Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris on "Saturday Night Live."
Jeff Swensen/NBC/Getty Images

Maya Rudolph played Vice President Kamala Harris during the episode's cold open. Rudolph previously played Harris on "Saturday Night Live" during the 2020 presidential election and in 2021 after Harris became vice president. Comedian Punkie Johnson has also appeared as Harris on the show.

Harris became the Democratic presidential nominee in August after President Joe Biden dropped out of the race the previous month.

Andy Samberg appeared as Second Gentlemen Doug Emhoff.

Andy Samberg returned to "Saturday Night Live" to play Doug Emhoff, the Second Gentleman of the United States, during the cold open. Actor Martin Short previously portrayed Emhoff during a skit in 2021.

Emhoff has been a consistent figure in Harris' campaign for president. He attended all four nights of the Democratic National Convention and has been photographed at campaign stops.

Dana Carvey parodied President Joe Biden.

Dana Carvey as President Joe Biden on "Saturday Night Live."
Michael M. Santiago/NBC/Getty Imagees

Dana Carvey also returned to "Saturday Night Live" during the premiere to portray President Joe Biden, who suspended his bid for the White House in July.

A number of actors have portrayed Biden throughout the years, including Mikey Day, Jim Carrey, Alex Moffat, and Jason Sudeikis.

Jim Gaffigan played Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Jim Gaffigan as Tim Walz and Maya Rudolph as Kamala Harris on "Saturday Night Live."
Alex Wong /NBC/Getty Images

Jim Gaffigan appeared as Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz during the cold open and acted alongside Maya Rudolph. It was the first time Walz had been portrayed on "Saturday Night Live."

Harris selected Walz as her running mate in August. Walz quickly became one of the most popular characters this election cycle. Americans have a more favorable opinion of Walz than his counterpart, Sen. JD Vance, according to FiveThirtyEight.

Walz is scheduled to debate Ohio Sen. JD Vance in New York City on October 1. Pete Buttigieg, the US Secretary of Transportation, is helping Walz prepare.

Bowen Yang played Ohio Sen. JD Vance.

Bowen Yang as Ohio Sen. JD Vance on "Saturday Night Live."
Scott Olson/NBC/Getty Images

Ohio Sen. JD Vance got his first "Saturday Night Live" shoutout during the season premiere when Bowen Yang arrived onstage.

Trump made Vance his vice presidential pick in July. Vance, who authored "Hillbilly Elegy," has made headlines during the campaign for pushing false conspiracy theories about immigrants in Springfield, Ohio. Vance is the least-liked vice presidential candidate in four decades, according to CNN.

James Austin Johnson portrayed former president Donald Trump.

James Austin Johnson as Donald Trump on "Saturday Night Live."
NBC/Win McNamee/Getty Images

James Austin Johnson played former president Donald Trump during the "Saturday Night Live" cold open. Like Biden, several actors have portrayed Trump on the show, including Alec Baldwin, Darrell Hammond, and Taran Killam. Trump also appeared on "Saturday Night Live" in 2004 and 2015.

Trump announced his third bid for the White House in 2022.

Kenan Thompson played Mark Robinson, the Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina.

Kenan Thompson as Mark Robinson, Lieutenant Governor of North Carolina, on "Saturday Night Live."
Allison Joyce/NBC/Getty Images

Longtime 'SNL' cast member Kenan Thompson exploited the drama surrounding the Lt. Gov. of North Carolina, Mark Robinson. Robinson — who is a staunch Trump supporter — is facing criticism after CNN reported he made sexually explicit, antisemitic, and racist comments on a pornographic website before his time in office.

Devon Walker impersonated New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Devon Walker as NYC Mayor Eric Adams on — Devon Walker as New York City Mayor Eric Adams on "Saturday Night Live."
NDZ/Star Max/NBC/Getty Images

Devon Walker played embattled New York City Mayor Eric Adams during "Weekend Update" on Saturday. Actor Chris Redd previously portrayed Adams on "Saturday Night Live."

Adams was indicted as part of a federal corruption probe this month. Adams is facing bribery and conspiracy charges related to gifts he received from foreign sources but didn't disclose, including a Turkish government official.

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'Saturday Night Live' has debuted its new cast of political characters. Here's …