Is ‘SNL’ episode new tonight? What to know about host and musical guest
Saturday Night Live returns with a new episode tonight featuring first-time host, actor Josh O’Connor and returning musical guest Lily Allen.
O’Connor, who has appeared in four films in 2025, joins a December lineup that began with Melissa McCarthy’s December 6 hosting gig and will conclude with Ariana Grande‘s December 20 episode.
Who Is Hosting Tonight?
Josh O’Connor makes his SNL hosting debut. The British actor has starred in four films in 2025: Rebuilding, The History of Sound, The Mastermind, and Netflix’s Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. His SNL connections run deep—he worked alongside Season 50 host Paul Mescal in The History of Sound, and the cast of Wake Up Dead Man includes five previous SNL hosts: Josh Brolin, Daniel Craig, Glenn Close, Jeremy Renner, and Kerry Washington.
Who Is the Musical Guest?
British singer Lily Allen returns to the SNL stage for the first time since 2007. Her previous appearance came during Season 32, when she performed “Smile” and “LDN” alongside host Drew Barrymore in the episode that earned Barrymore entry into the Five-Timers Club.
Allen’s return follows the release of West End Girl, her first album in seven years, which has received critical acclaim.
Cast Member Changes
Five new faces have joined the SNL cast, following the departure of several cast members amid a shake-up ahead of season 51.
The new cast members are: Ben Marshall, Veronika Slowikowska, Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane and Kam Patterson.
Heidi Gardner departed the show after eight seasons, while Ego Nwodim left after seven. Devon Walker and Michael Longfellow exited after three seasons, while Emil Walker left after one season.
Bowen Yang, Mikey Day and James Austin Johnson, who has been playing President Donald Trump for the past four seasons, are among those who have returned for Season 51.
Ways To Watch
Saturday Night Live airs tonight at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC. The episode will be available to stream on Peacock the following day. All past episodes of SNL are available to stream on Peacock anytime.
Who Is Hosting and Performing Next Week?
Following tonight’s episode, SNL will air its highly anticipated December 20 Christmas episode featuring Ariana Grande as host for her third time and Cher as musical guest for her first appearance since 1987. The December 20 episode will be the final SNL broadcast of 2025.
