Comedian Leslie Jones, who has already made numerous appearances on “Saturday Night Live” since the late-night sketch show hired her as a writer earlier this year, has formally joined the show’s cast.
SNL now has at least five current black cast members – Kenan Thompson, Jay Pharoah, Sasheer Zamata, Michael Che and Jones – a series record.
Somewhere, Finesse Mitchell sheds a single tear.
Jones and Zamata competed last year for the same SNL cast slot specifically earmarked for a black woman.
There’s plenty of room for Jones since Noell Welles, Brooks Wheelan, John Milheiser, Mike O’Brien and Nasim Pedrad departed the SNL cast between its 39th and current 40th season.
Find all of Deadline’s exclusive on the matter here.
