Maya Rudolph is set to return to “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) this fall, reprising her role as Kamala Harris. The Emmy-winning actress will don Harris’ signature navy blue pantsuit just in time for the 2024 Presidential campaign, where Harris will face off against former President Donald Trump.
Rudolph’s portrayal of Harris has been a fan favorite since her debut in a 2019 SNL sketch. This performance won her an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series. She continued to play the Oakland-born politician, earning another Emmy in 2021. Kamala Harris herself expressed her admiration for Rudolph’s impression, stating in a 2019 interview with Seth Meyers, “The thought that anyone would be in any way depicting me on ‘Saturday Night Live’ was just – I was a bit overwhelmed.”
Rudolph’s Other Projects
Rudolph’s return to SNL means her Apple TV+ show, “Loot,” will be put on a temporary pause. The series, which Rudolph stars in and executive produces, was set to start filming its third season on August 26 but will now resume in January 2025. “Loot” is produced by NBC’s Universal Television, the same company behind SNL, which facilitated this scheduling shift.
A source told CNN that SNL producers were eager to have Rudolph back after President Joe Biden endorsed Harris as the Democratic nominee for the 2024 election. The source added, “Rudolph will play Harris through the 2024 election.”
Harris herself has praised Rudolph’s impression, saying, “I grew up watching Saturday Night Live. The thought that anyone would be in any way depicting me on ‘Saturday Night Live’ was just – I was a bit overwhelmed.” She jokingly added, “I fully intend to make sure she (Rudolph) has a full eight years of work on ‘SNL.’”
Rudolph’s return to SNL aligns with the show’s 50th season premiere on September 28, just over a month before the 2024 Presidential election. While the casting for Donald Trump this season remains unconfirmed, Rudolph’s Harris will undoubtedly need a formidable sparring partner.