'SNL' Adds Three New Featured Players for Upcoming Season

Photo of Chris Redd, courtesy Comedy Central

Saturday Night Live has tapped three new featured players for its upcoming 43rd season, which premieres this Saturday (Sept. 30).

NBC on Tuesday confirmed Heidi Gardner, Luke Null and Chris Redd have joined the long-running sketch comedy series, following last season's departures of vets Bobby Moynihan, Vanessa Bayer and Sasheer Zamata after nine, seven and four seasons, respectively.

They join returning featured players Mikey Day, Alex Moffat and Melissa Villasenor, who were all recruited last season. Also returning are Beck Bennett, Aidy Bryant, Michael Che, Pete Davidson, Leslie Jones, Colin Jost, Kate McKinnon, Kyle Mooney, Cecily Strong and Kenan Thompson, along with announcer Darrell Hammond.

Redd is an actor-comedian best known for his role in the mockumentary Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping, which featured SNL alums including Andy Samberg, Joan Cusack, Bill Hader, Tim Meadows and Maya Rudolph. He also appeared on Comedy Central's Stand-Up Presents.

Gardner has been a member of the Groundlings, a longtime source of SNL hires, while also contributing to Crackle's Bryan Cranston-produced animated comedy SuperMansion. She also has a role in Life of the Party, which stars Melissa McCarthy.

Null is a Chicago-based comedian, musician and improv talent, whose past credits include the 2011 film The Heart: The Final Pulse.

As we previously mentioned, this Saturday's premiere will be hosted by Ryan Gosling with musical guest Jay-Z.