Leslie Jones named new "Saturday Night Live" cast member

"Saturday Night Live" is adding Leslie Jones to its cast, giving the show's on-screen diversity another boost.

The African-American comedian wins her on-camera role after serving as a writer on the show last season.

Jones has been a featured performer at the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal and the Aspen Comedy Festival. She starred in a one-hour comedy special "Problem Child" on Showtime.

She came to "SNL" in January, along with fellow writer LaKendra Tookes as well as Sasheer Zamata, who was signed to join the cast at that time. She has since made appearances on "Weekend Update," including one in this year's season premiere (watch it below).

Those hirings came after "SNL" had been criticized for a lack of diversity, particularly the absence of any black women among the regular or featured players.

Jones, who will continue to write for the show, will make her first official appearance as an "SNL" cast member when Jim Carrey hosts the show this Saturday, Deadline reports. She joins Pete Davidson as the second new featured player this fall.