NBC's "Saturday Night Live" made its rumored casting changes official Tuesday, announcing Vanessa Bayer, Paul Brittain, Taran Killam, and Jay Pharoah will join as featured players.
Additionally Jenny Slate (pictured left), who joined the cast in 2009, will not be returning this season, according to an EW.com report. Will Forte is leaving the show after eight seasons, as previously reported.
Amy Poehler is hosting the series' 36th season debut Sept. 25; Katy Perry is the musical guest.
Bayer joins the cast of SNL from iO Chicago, The Annoyance, and The Second City. Brittain is a veteran of the iO Theater in Chicago where he performed as a member with numerous improv and sketch groups. Killam hails from Los Angeles, where he established his comedy career as a main company member of The Groundlings. Originally from Virginia, Pharoah honed his performing skills in community theater and at local comedy clubs.
