‘SNL’ hires 3 new cast members

The cast of Saturday Night Live is getting a makeover for its upcoming season, after producers hired three new cast members to fill the spots that Kristen Wiig, Abby Elliot and Andy Samberg left behind.

According to The Associated Press, SNL announced Monday that the 38th season will welcome newcomers Cecily Strong, Aidy Bryant and Tim Robinson.

Us Weekly reported that all three performers spent time with Second City improvisational theaters in Chicago, which is where Tina Fey and Amy Poehler got their start.

Season 37 left many fans saddened when Wiig, who gained movie stardom for her role in Bridesmaids, announced her decision to leave the show after seven long, hilarious years. Samberg and Elliott announced their departures soon after.

Fan favorite Jason Sudeikis has yet to confirm whether or not he will return for the upcoming season. But cast mate Seth Meyers seemed to confirm Sudeikis’ return.

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Meyers discussed a conversation he had with executive producer Lorne Michaels about possibly taking over the role of Mitt Romney, a role Sudeikis is known for. “I kept telling Lorne, ‘Look, anything you need me to do, I’ll do. And that made him desperate to make sure that Plan A happened,” Meyers said.

The season premiere, hosted by Seth MacFarlane with a performance by Frank Ocean, airs live on Sept. 15 at 11:30 p.m. ET.