“Saturday Night Live” has officially revealed the first wave of hosts and musical performers slated for its highly anticipated 51st season. Following a landmark 50th-anniversary celebration, the venerable sketch comedy program, broadcast on NBC, is poised to kick off its new season on October 4th. This initial announcement promises a compelling mix of seasoned entertainers and fresh faces, ensuring a dynamic start to the series’ next chapter.
The 51st season is set to launch with a bang, featuring multi-talented artist Bad Bunny returning to grace the stage as host, marking his second appearance in this role. Complementing his presence, Doja Cat will make her inaugural performance as a musical guest on the iconic SNL stage, adding a fresh sound to the premiere episode. The subsequent week, on October 11th, will see former cast member Amy Poehler returning for her third hosting gig, her second as a solo act, joined by musical guest Role Model. The diverse lineup continues on October 18th, when Sabrina Carpenter will undertake the challenging dual role of both host and musical guest.
As the season progresses into November, audiences can look forward to more exciting pairings. Miles Teller will host on November 1st, making his second appearance, with Brandi Carlile returning for her third musical performance. Comedian Nikki Glaser and musical artist Sombr will both make their SNL debuts on November 8th. Later in the month, on November 15th, Glen Powell will step into the hosting spotlight for the first time, accompanied by newcomer musical guest Olivia Dean.
December will bring back a familiar face, Melissa McCarthy, who will host for an impressive sixth time on December 6th, alongside musical guest Dijon. The year will conclude with two more episodes: Josh O’Connor will make his hosting debut on December 13th, with Lily Allen as the musical guest. The final show of 2025, on December 20th, will feature Ariana Grande in her third hosting role, and a much-anticipated return by Cher, who last performed on SNL in 1987.
The new year, 2026, will commence with a trio of first-time hosts. Finn Wolfhard from “Stranger Things” will host on January 17th, with A$AP Rocky as the musical guest. Teyana Taylor of “One Battle After Another” fame will host on January 24th, joined by musical act Geese. Alexander Skarsgard will round out the month on January 31st, with Cardi B performing as the musical guest. Notably, the January 31st broadcast will mark a significant milestone for SNL, being the 1,000th regular episode since its inception in 1975.
Following a brief hiatus for the Winter Olympics, Connor Storrie will make his hosting debut on February 28th, with Mumford & Sons as the musical guests. Ryan Gosling will return for his fourth hosting appearance on March 7th, while Gorillaz will make their first-ever musical guest performance. On March 14th, Harry Styles will once again pull double duty as both host and musical guest, a feat he first accomplished in 2019. This impressive roster sets the stage for a season filled with laughter, music, and memorable moments.
Beyond the impressive lineup of guests, Season 51 of “Saturday Night Live” has also seen substantial alterations to its core cast. Several cast members, including Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, Michael Longfellow, Devon Walker, and Emil Wakim, have departed since the previous season. In their place, five new featured players—Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Ben Marshall, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska—have joined the ensemble. The returning cast includes familiar names such as Michael Che, Mikey Day, Andrew Dismukes, Chloe Fineman, Marcello Hernandez, James Austin Johnson, Colin Jost, Ashley Padilla, Sarah Sherman, Kenan Thompson, Jane Wickline, and Bowen Yang, ensuring a blend of established talent and fresh perspectives for the upcoming season. This blend of new and returning talent, combined with a diverse array of hosts and musical guests, is expected to continue SNL's legacy of cultural relevance and comedic innovation.
