Which Saturday Night Live cast member plays JD Vance in season 50?

JD Vance exploded in the cultural consciousness when he was selected to be Donald Trump's running mate. There have been lots of controversies and memes at his expense since, which is an absolute coup for Saturday Night Live.

The sketch show confirmed that alum Maya Rudolph would be returning to play Kamala Harris, but showrunner Lorne Michaels kept the casting of politicians like Tim Walz and Vance a secret. He knew fans would tune in to the season 50 premiere to find out for themselves. And the casting choice for JD Vance did not disappoint.

Bowen Yang is playing SNL's JD Vance

While outside names like Paul Walter Hauser and Zack Galifianakis were mentioned as possible candidates to play Vance, SNL decided to promote from within, and use of their own cast members instead. They didn't have to wait long to find out, either, as Vance was the focus of the cold open.

James Austen Johnson returned as Donald Trump, and proceeded to unveil fellow cast member Bowen Yang as JD Vance. Yang sported a hairpiece and a fake beard to properly portray Vance, but part of the joke, undoubtedly, is how little the two men actually look alike.

Yang played up Vance's awkwardness

Yang plays Vance as a clueless and awkward presence onstage. He also plays up the notion that Trump does not actually like his running mate. The first thing this Vance does is try to shake Trump's hand, only for the former President to look at him with disdain.

Yang does a bit of accent work, but part of what makes the characterization funny is, once again, how tossed off it all feels. The comedian isn't really trying to emulate the politician, and is instead relying on his perceived weaknesses. The SNL Vance says Donald Trump told him: "JD, you're like a son to me, because I don't like you. I'm stuck with you."

It'll be interesting to see whether SNL decides to keep Yang as Vance throughout season 50, or if the politician will be played by multiple cast members/guest stars.