Which SNL featured players will be promoted to main cast in season 50?

Saturday Night Live did not have the best season 49. It was regularly panned by critics for being out of touch. Kenan Thompson even made a joke about the season's lack of quality control during the finale episode. That being said, season 50 will be different.

SNL will be celebrating five decades on the air, which means there will be more eyes on the show than ever. This also means that the cast involved with the show has more experience under its belt, and will be able to provide sketches that are sharper and more consistent. Ideally, at least.

SNL is promoting a handful of season 49 standouts

Before someone gets to become a main cast member on SNL, however, they have to spend time as a featured player. It's a standard practice for the sketch show, and one that has allowed iconic stars to hone their craft in a less stressful role.

According to Deadline, several featured players will be getting promoted to cast member ahead of season 50. These players include at Molly Kearney, Marcello Hernández, Michael Longfellow and Devon Walker.

Marcello Hernández, in particular, has gotten attention in recent seasons. His baseball sketches has increased his profile, and he participated in the first-ever Spanish language sketch alongside guest Bad Bunny.

All four comedians circling promotion debuted in season 48

The comedian told USA Today that he's happy to be bringing a different perspective to the show, but admits that he still gets overwhelmed by the legacy and the impact of Saturday Night Live as a whole:

"It's such a historic show, it feels crazy. I started comedy when I was 18 and I never thought one day I'd be on 'SNL.' Just being in such a historic building and learning.. has been incredible."

Hernández, Kearney, Walker and Longfellow joined SNL in season 48, which is pretty standard as far as the jump from featured to main cast. Most people take two years to cut their teeth before creator Lorne Michaels bumps them up. We're excited to see what all four of these comedians do in an increased capacity.