Sasheer Zamata will join "Saturday Night Live" this month, making her the first African-American female in the show's cast in six years, a show rep said Monday.

“Saturday Night Live” announced Monday that the NBC variety show has hired its first African-American female in the show's cast in six years.

Comedian Sasheer Zamata is a recent hire that comes after SNL received some criticism for lacking diversity with its female actresses.

Zamata will make her debut the first show of the year on January 18 with host and musical guest Drake.

In the past, male comedian Kenan Thompson portrayed the show’s black female roles, but has since declined dressing drag. After an extensive casting call, Zamata fills the opening as the first female black cast member since Maya Rudolph’s departure five years ago.

The comedian has been honing her skills with the Upright Citizens Brigade in New York since graduating from the University of Virginia with a drama degree in 2009, according to her official biography. She has also performed stand-up at colleges and festivals across the country.

Some of Sasheer’s specialty impersonations include Beyoncé, Nicki Minaj and Michelle Obama.