Who Was The Last Saturday Night Live Host? Inside Josh O’Connor’s Unexpected Debut And Viral Sketches
The question of who was the last host of Saturday Night Live (SNL) is a constant curiosity for fans, especially as the show approaches its holiday break. As of today, December 19, 2025, the most recent celebrity to take the legendary stage at Studio 8H was the acclaimed British actor, Josh O’Connor. The star of The Crown and Challengers made his highly-anticipated hosting debut on December 13, 2025, in the eighth episode of the show’s historic 51st season, delivering a performance that was both charmingly awkward and surprisingly bold.
O’Connor's episode, which featured musical guest Lily Allen, served as the final installment before the highly-publicized mid-season finale, setting a high bar for the incoming host. His appearance was a masterclass in comedic commitment, with the Emmy-winning actor shedding his regal and dramatic personas to dive headfirst into the chaotic world of live sketch comedy. The episode is now a key part of the Season 51 legacy, bridging the gap between an all-star lineup of hosts and the highly anticipated return of a pop icon.
The Last Host: Josh O’Connor’s Complete Biography and Career Profile
Josh O’Connor, the actor who captivated global audiences as a young Prince Charles, is the most recent name to join the prestigious roster of Saturday Night Live hosts. His career trajectory has been a steady climb from independent film darling to mainstream international star, making his hosting gig a significant moment for both the actor and the show.
- Full Name: Joshua Mathias O'Connor
- Date of Birth: May 20, 1990
- Place of Birth: Southampton, Hampshire, England
- Nationality: British (English)
- Notable Roles: Prince Charles in The Crown (Netflix), Larry Durrell in The Durrells (ITV), Johnny Saxby in God's Own Country, Patrick in Challengers (Film)
- Key Awards: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2021), Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama, British Independent Film Award
- Early Career: Appeared in supporting roles in popular British series like Doctor Who and Peaky Blinders before his breakthrough film role in God's Own Country (2017).
- SNL Debut: Hosted Saturday Night Live on December 13, 2025 (Season 51, Episode 8)
O’Connor’s background is rooted in dramatic acting, which made his transition to the frenetic pace of sketch comedy a fascinating experiment. His Emmy-winning portrayal of Prince Charles in Seasons 3 and 4 of The Crown established him as a serious, nuanced dramatic actor, often playing characters burdened by expectation and internal conflict. This dramatic pedigree provided the perfect contrast for the comedic chaos of SNL.
His recent high-profile role in the tennis drama Challengers, alongside Zendaya and Mike Faist, further elevated his celebrity status, making him a prime candidate for a hosting appearance.
Inside the Josh O’Connor SNL Episode: Viral Sketches and Monologue Highlights
The December 13, 2025, episode of Saturday Night Live was a showcase for Josh O'Connor's willingness to embrace the absurd. His first-time hosting performance was marked by a commitment to physical comedy and a surprisingly effective ability to play against his distinguished public image.
The Monologue: Self-Deprecation and British Charm
O'Connor's monologue immediately addressed the elephant in the room: his serious, often intense dramatic work. He leaned into the self-deprecating humor of being a British actor known for playing royalty. The opening segment featured him humorously trying to explain his past roles to a confused American audience, contrasting the stiff formality of Prince Charles with the goofy energy required for the SNL stage. The segment was an instant hit, setting a tone of playful disorientation for the rest of the night.
The Most Talked-About Sketches
The episode generated several viral moments, proving that O’Connor could hold his own against the seasoned SNL cast members like Kenan Thompson and Ego Nwodim.
- "Sensitive Strippers" Sketch: This sketch became an immediate online sensation. O'Connor played a stripper with an unexpectedly deep, emotional backstory who insisted on discussing his feelings and childhood trauma mid-performance. The juxtaposition of the comedic premise and O'Connor's dramatic delivery was lauded as one of the best moments of the season.
- "Stranger Danger" Parody: A pre-taped segment, "Stranger Danger" allowed O'Connor to utilize his dramatic skills in a dark comedy setting. The sketch involved a bizarre twist on a public service announcement, showcasing his range and ability to commit to an unsettling character.
- The "Oz with a Twist" Sketch: This segment, while divisive among some long-time viewers, showcased the show's willingness to experiment with surreal humor. O'Connor’s character in the *Wizard of Oz* parody was a bizarre, over-the-top performance that critics noted, even if the overall sketch concept was considered an acquired taste.
- The Kissing Sketch: One recurring gag that garnered significant attention involved O'Connor's character awkwardly or unexpectedly kissing various cast members throughout the show. This running bit culminated in a hilarious final moment, cementing the episode's reputation for bold, character-driven comedy.
The Topical Authority: Connecting O’Connor’s World to the SNL Universe
The choice of Josh O'Connor as an SNL host is a perfect example of Lorne Michaels' strategy of bringing in actors who are at a critical peak in their career, bridging the gap between high-brow drama and mainstream comedy. His appearance was a significant boost for the show's topical authority, allowing them to tap into conversations surrounding major film and television properties.
The Crown and Royal Parodies
O'Connor's most famous role as Prince Charles provided ample material for the writers. While he avoided directly playing Charles in the episode, the royal theme was a subtle undercurrent. The show often parodies the British Royal Family, and having the actual Emmy-winning actor on stage gave a meta-layer to the royal-themed jokes that have been a staple of Weekend Update and various cold opens over the years.
The Challengers Effect and Zendaya Connection
His starring role in the critically acclaimed film Challengers, directed by Luca Guadagnino, was another key entity that gave the episode buzz. The film's tense love triangle and sports setting were ripe for parody. Although Zendaya was not present, the episode successfully capitalized on the film's popularity, using O'Connor's newfound status as a romantic lead to subvert expectations in his sketches.
Lily Allen: The Musical Guest Synergy
The musical guest, Lily Allen, who made her second SNL appearance after a long hiatus, provided an interesting synergy with the host. Both are celebrated British artists, but from vastly different worlds—O'Connor from high-end drama, Allen from pop music. The combination of their performances created a unique, distinctly British-flavored episode that stood out in Season 51.
Looking Ahead: Who is the Next SNL Host?
With Josh O’Connor’s episode now in the history books as the last one to air before the current date, all attention turns to the highly-anticipated final episode of 2025.
The next host of Saturday Night Live is the multi-talented singer and actress Ariana Grande, who is scheduled to host the mid-season finale on December 20, 2025. Grande, who is also an Academy Award-nominated and Grammy-winning artist, will be hosting for the third time and is currently starring in the film adaptation of Wicked: For Good. Her return is expected to be a major ratings event, closing out the first half of Season 51 with a bang and providing a perfect bookend to the year.
Josh O’Connor’s debut, therefore, serves as the perfect dramatic appetizer before the pop culture main course of the Grande-hosted finale. His performance solidified his status as a versatile star and proved that even the most serious dramatic actors can thrive in the high-pressure, hilarious environment of live sketch comedy.
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