Rachel Sennott SaysSaturday NightRole Is Her 'First Time Being Chill' in a Movie: 'I'm Always Having a Panic Attack' (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Rosie Shuster (Rachel Sennott) in SATURDAY NIGHT.Photo:Hopper Stone

Hopper Stone

Saturday NightgaveRachel Sennotta chance to play a “chill” character — for once in her acting career.

Speaking exclusively with PEOPLE about the film, which chronicles the hour leading up to the first live episode ofSaturday Night Livein 1975, Sennott, 29, spoke about getting to know Rosie Shuster — the originalSNLwriter who she portrays in the film and the then-wife of the show’s creatorLorne Michaels.

“I got to talk to Rosie, and she’s amazing,” Sennott said of the comedian, who wrote forSNLin the ’70s and ’80s. “She’s so cool, and smart, and funny, and I think I’m going to meet her in person for the first time at the premiere.”

“Just talking to her on the phone, of course there’s still pressure,” she said, recounting her first time speaking with Shuster. “But more than anything, I was just excited. Because I was like, I want everyone to know [about her].”

The cast of SATURDAY NIGHT.Hopper Stone

For Sennott, sharing Shuster’s story with audiences who may not have known about her role in makingSNLso successful was one of the most exciting parts of making the film — along with getting to play a character who’s not easily frazzled.

“This is my first time in a movie being like chill,” she joked. “I’m never chill. I’m always having a panic attack. And in real life, I’m always having a panic attack.”

“So, it’s so freeing to step into someone who’s so confident, and in control. And so, I hope she likes it, and feels seen. But I just wanted to share her story with people, because I feel like she’s such an integral part in makingSNLwhat it is today,” theBottomsactress continued. “And I don’t know if everyone is familiar with her, so, I’m excited for them to see that.”

Sennott attends the premiere of “Saturday Night” during the 2024 Toronto International Film Festival.Robert Okine/Getty Images

Robert Okine/Getty Images

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The film stars a number of young actors as famousSNLalumni, includingThe Fablemans’Gabriel LaBelleas Lorne Michaels,Dylan O’BrienasDan Aykroyd,Cory Michael SmithasChevy ChaseandLamorne MorrisasGarrett Morris.

Tons of other stars make an appearance in the film as classicSNLcomedians — including the latePhilip Seymour Hoffman’s sonCooper Hoffmanas Dick Ebersol,Jon Batisteas musician Billy Preston,Willem Dafoeas David Tebet andJ.K. Simmonsas Milton Berle. Ella Hunt asGilda Radner, Emily Fairn as Laraine Newman, Kim Matula asJane Curtin, Matt Wood asJohn Belushi, Nicholas Podany asBilly Crystal,Nicholas BraunasJim HensonandKaia Gerberas Jacqueline Carlin.

Saturday Nightis now playing in select theaters and opens everywhere Oct. 11.

source: people.com