Finn Wolfhard is stepping into a role he’s already played once before—just this time, it’s for real.
The Stranger Things actor will host Saturday Night Live on January 17, marking the show’s first episode of 2026.
He’ll be joined by musical guest A$AP Rocky, who’s making his SNL performance debut after a brief cameo back in 2018.
And if Wolfhard gets his way, viewers might see a beloved sketch make its long-awaited comeback.
From Portraying SNL History to Making It
NBC announced Wolfhard’s hosting gig during its Christmas episode, hosted by Ariana Grande with Cher as musical guest.
This marks Wolfhard’s first time hosting SNL, though he’s no stranger to Studio 8H. He recently starred in Jason Reitman’s Saturday Night, a film chronicling the chaotic first broadcast of SNL on October 11, 1975. In that movie, Wolfhard played an NBC page navigating behind-the-scenes mayhem.
Now he’ll experience that energy from center stage rather than from behind a camera.
A$AP Rocky Makes His Musical Debut
A$AP Rocky will take the musical guest slot for his first official SNL performance.
Though he appeared briefly during Donald Glover’s 2018 hosting stint, this January marks his debut as the night’s featured artist. Pairing Rocky’s hip-hop presence with Wolfhard’s indie-rock sensibilities creates an intriguing contrast that reflects SNL’s genre-blending tradition.
Wolfhard Has a Sketch Request
While promoting Saturday Night, Wolfhard revealed which classic sketch he’d love to resurrect.
They were hosts of this terrible metal festival, and they would do themed commercials announcing the lineup. I was watching that recently and I thought it was so funny because it’s just an excuse to basically name a bunch of random bands. I think that sketch would be really funny to bring back.
He’s referring to Underground Rock Festival, originally performed by Jason Sudeikis and Nasim Pedrad. That sketch featured deadpan hosts announcing increasingly absurd band names for a fictional music festival.
Given Wolfhard’s own music background—he’s played in bands including Calpurnia and The Aubreys—his comedic take on rock culture could bring fresh energy to that format.
Timing His SNL Debut Perfectly
Wolfhard’s hosting gig comes at a pivotal moment in his career.
Stranger Things aired its final episode on New Year’s Eve, closing out a cultural phenomenon that launched Wolfhard into stardom as Mike Wheeler. Hosting SNL just weeks after saying goodbye to Hawkins, Indiana, signals his transition into new territory.
At 22 years old, Wolfhard joins a lineage of young actors using SNL as a launchpad for showcasing range beyond their signature roles.
What Fans Can Expect
SNL episodes featuring actors with musical backgrounds often produce standout moments.
Wolfhard’s comfort with performance—both acting and musical—suggests he’ll handle sketch comedy’s quick costume changes and character shifts with ease. His familiarity with SNL’s legacy through the Saturday Night film also means he understands what makes great live comedy work.
Whether he’ll actually convince SNL writers to revive Underground Rock Festival remains to be seen. But his enthusiasm for sketch comedy history indicates he’s approaching this hosting opportunity as more than just promotion—it’s clearly something he’s genuinely excited about.
A New Chapter After Hawkins
The January 17 episode represents SNL’s return from its extended holiday break.
Pairing a fresh host like Wolfhard with a high-profile musical debut from A$AP Rocky creates buzz that typically drives viewership after seasonal downtime. Both artists bring dedicated fanbases that don’t typically overlap, potentially expanding SNL’s audience reach.
For Wolfhard, this moment caps years of steady career building beyond Stranger Things. He’s appeared in films like Ghostbusters: Afterlife and The Goldfinch, pursued music seriously, and now adds live sketch comedy to his resume.
Hosting SNL isn’t just another acting gig—it’s a rite of passage that tests versatility, timing, and willingness to look ridiculous on live television. Wolfhard seems ready for all three.