Hot off the heels of the Stranger Things finale, Vancouver-born actor and musician Finn Wolfhard is hosting the first Saturday Night Live episode of 2026, and it airs this week.
Just days before Christmas, the Canadian actor took to Instagram to share the news that he’d be hosting SNL alongside A$AP Rocky as the musical guest, eliciting an outpour of comments from excited fans and viewers alike.
It marks the first time any of the child actors from Stranger Things have hosted. Wolfhard does have a pretty sweet connection to the show: he starred in the It movies as the younger Richie Tozier, playing opposite his adult counterpart, Bill Hader, one of the SNL greats.
According to NBC Insider, this week’s episode also marks a headlining first for A$AP Rocky, who will perform just a day after releasing his latest album, Don’t Be Dumb.
A full-time Vancouverite
In addition to acting, making music, and directing music videos for George Harrison, Wolfhard takes the title of “Vancouverite” pretty seriously. He was one of the investors who saved the historic Park Theatre from permanent closure in October 2025.
He even surprised fans at the premiere of the Stranger Things finale at the landmark theatre on NYE.
He also hasn’t been shy about his love for Grounds for Coffee. On a recent episode of Last Meals, Wolfhard shares that he visits the cafe for its famed cinnamon buns every Saturday. He also shouted out Neptoon Records and Science World in a Hot Ones episode last year.
When does the SNL episode air?
SNL is back with the second half of season 51 on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026.
Other Stranger Things cast members to host SNL include David Harbour (Jim Hopper), who hosted back in 2019, and Winona Ryder (Joyce Byers) in 2002.
NBC shares that Wolfhard will be followed by actress and recent Golden Globe winner Teyana Taylor on Jan. 24, and Swedish actor Alexander Skarsgård on Jan. 31, 2026.
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