Maya Rudolph has been rehired to “Saturday Night Live,” where she is expected to play Vice President Kamala Harris until the 2024 presidential election.
“SNL”’s 50th season premieres on Sept. 28. While Rudolph has been preparing to film the third season of her comedy series “Loot” on Apple TV+, sources say production has been pushed back to allow Rudolph to return to 30 Rock’s Studio 8H. (Both “Loot” and “SNL” are produced by Universal Television and Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video.)
A Saturday Night Live spokesperson and a representative for Rudolph could not be reached for comment.
Rudolph first played Harris on “SNL” in December 2019, winning an Emmy for outstanding guest actress in a comedy series despite only having a few lines in a presidential debate sketch. She returned during the 2020 election cycle to play Harris, whom she dubbed “Funt,” or “America's fun aunt,” alongside Joe Biden, played by Jim Carrey.
Rudolph, who was a cast member of “SNL” from 2000 to 2007, played Harris again when she hosted the series in March 2021, earning her another Emmy for guest actress in a comedy series. (She’ll be up for another award in September for her final hosting gig on May 11, 2024.)
Of course, Harris will be more prominent in the early 50th season as the presidential election approaches and she becomes the official Democratic nominee. Harris, played by “Saturday Night Live” cast member James Austin Johnson, will likely face Donald Trump in a debate — regardless of whether the real candidates debate themselves.
Watch footage of Rudolph as Harris below.
