Alec Baldwin has been cast as Donald Trump for the new season of Saturday Night Live.
The actor, who has hosted the show a record 16 times, will play the Republican candidate in the lead-up to the election alongside cast member Kate McKinnon as Hillary Clinton.
Baldwin will debut his impression on the season opener on 1 October, teased by an advert that promises a skit based on this week’s presidential debate. The role was previously played by Darrell Hammond, who will remain on the show periodically in other guises.
According to the Hollywood Reporter, executive producer Lorne Michaels made the decision earlier this summer and Baldwin officially signed on this week. The pair have also worked together on the award-winning comedy 30 Rock.
Baldwin initially expressed support for Trump, claiming he was a “huge campaign finance reform person” in 2015, but earlier this year he told the Telegraph that he was a “candidate made of hate”.
The first episode of the season will be presented by first-time host Margot Robbie, with Emily Blunt and Lin-Manuel Miranda confirmed to appear in the weeks to come.
