Is SNL New Tonight? Everything You Need To Know About The Josh O'Connor, Lily Allen Episode And The Season 51 Finale

Yes, there is a brand-new episode of Saturday Night Live tonight, December 13, 2025, airing live on NBC and streaming on Peacock. This highly anticipated installment marks the eighth episode of the show's landmark Season 51 and features a compelling lineup: acclaimed British actor Josh O'Connor makes his debut as host, while the chart-topping singer-songwriter Lily Allen returns to Studio 8H as the musical guest. As the penultimate episode before the holiday break, fans are expecting a night of high-energy comedy, topical political commentary, and fresh, unique sketches from the evolving cast.

The broadcast, starting at 11:30 p.m. ET/8:30 p.m. PT, is the second-to-last new show of the year, leading directly into the star-studded Christmas finale. This week’s episode is particularly exciting as it introduces a new face to the hosting roster, a tradition that often yields some of the most memorable and surprising performances of the season. With Josh O'Connor’s dramatic background and Lily Allen’s recent musical resurgence, the stage is set for a dynamic and unpredictable night of live television.

Josh O'Connor and Lily Allen: A Deep Dive Into Tonight's Stars

The pairing of a celebrated dramatic actor with a pop provocateur promises an episode rich in contrast and potential for comedy. The show's writers will undoubtedly draw on the public personas and recent projects of both the host and the musical guest to create unique sketch material.

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Josh O'Connor: From Royal Drama to Sketch Comedy

Josh O'Connor is best known to American audiences for his Emmy-winning portrayal of a young Prince Charles in the critically acclaimed Netflix series The Crown. His ability to blend deep emotion with subtle comedic timing makes him a fascinating choice for the high-pressure environment of SNL. He is a versatile actor whose career is currently experiencing a major upswing, providing plenty of material for his monologue and sketches.

O'Connor's biography and recent work highlights:

• Full Name: Josh O'Connor
• Date of Birth: May 20, 1990
• Hometown: Southampton, England
• Notable Role: Prince Charles in The Crown (Seasons 3 & 4)
• Awards: Emmy Award, Golden Globe Award, and Critics' Choice Television Award for his role in The Crown.
• Recent Projects (2025 Slate): His busy 2025 film schedule includes the Sundance Film Festival drama Rebuilding, the highly anticipated historical film The History of Sound, and the crime thriller The Mastermind, which was selected for the prestigious 2025 Cannes Film Festival.
• SNL Debut: This marks O'Connor's first time hosting Saturday Night Live.

Fans are eager to see O'Connor shed his regal, dramatic image for a night of absurdity. The sketches could potentially satirize his royal background, his recent indie film roles, or even play on the contrast between his British reservedness and the over-the-top nature of live sketch comedy.

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Lily Allen: A Musical Guest Riding a Critical Wave

Lily Allen is a renowned English singer-songwriter known for her sharp, witty, and often controversial lyrics. Her musical guest slot is perfectly timed to promote her latest, critically acclaimed work.

Lily Allen's musical career and recent album:

• Full Name: Lily Rose Beatrice Cooper (née Allen)
• Date of Birth: May 2, 1985
• Hometown: Hammersmith, London, England
• First Hit: "Smile" (2006)
• Latest Album: West End Girl, released on October 24, 2025.
• Album Reception: The album is her fifth studio effort and has been described as a "brutally honest" and "scathing" record, marking her first new music in seven years and receiving critical acclaim for its raw honesty and social commentary.
• SNL History: This appearance marks her second time as a musical guest on the show.

Allen is expected to perform tracks from West End Girl, potentially including the album's lead single or other standout tracks that showcase her return to form. Her performance will not only be a musical highlight but also a strong promotional push for her 2025 release.

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The Season 51 Landscape: New Cast, Hot Sketches, and the Finale

The current season of Saturday Night Live, Season 51, has maintained strong viewership and topical relevance, navigating the political and cultural landscape of late 2025. The show continues to be a crucial platform for political satire and viral comedy moments.

Recent Viral Moments and Cast Dynamics

Last week’s episode, hosted by comedy legend Melissa McCarthy (her sixth time hosting) with musical guest Dijon, set a high bar for the December run. The episode featured a notable Cold Open sketch that quickly went viral, showcasing McCarthy's improvisational strengths and physical comedy. There was also significant social media buzz around a particular "Out-of-Touch Sorority Sketch" that sparked debate for its satirical take on generational differences, demonstrating SNL's continued ability to capture the cultural zeitgeist.

The veteran cast members, including Kenan Thompson, Michael Che, Colin Jost, and Bowen Yang, continue to anchor the show, providing stability and star power. However, Season 51 has also introduced a wave of fresh talent, injecting new life and perspectives into the ensemble.

New Cast Members for Season 51:

• Tommy Brennan
• Jeremy Culhane
• Ben Marshall
• Kam Patterson
• Veronika Slowikowska

These five new faces are crucial for the show's future, bringing new character work and energy to the sketches alongside returning favorites like Mikey Day, Chloe Fineman, and Sarah Sherman.

Looking Ahead: The Blockbuster Holiday Finale

The biggest news for fans planning their December viewing is the massive lineup for the final episode of the year, Season 51, Episode 9, on December 20, 2025. This episode serves as the traditional Christmas/Holiday finale and is set to be a star-studded event:

• Host: The multi-talented Ariana Grande will return to host for her third time.
• Musical Guest: The iconic Oscar, Emmy, and Grammy Award winner Cher is scheduled to appear as the musical guest.

The combination of Ariana Grande, known for her incredible singing, acting, and impersonation skills, with the legendary Cher, guarantees a finale packed with memorable performances, surprise cameos, and high-production sketches. This episode will close out the 2025 run of Saturday Night Live before the show goes on its mid-season hiatus, making tonight's episode with Josh O'Connor and Lily Allen an essential watch to appreciate the season's momentum.

How to Watch the New SNL Episode Tonight

For those eager to catch Josh O'Connor’s hosting debut and Lily Allen’s performance, here is the essential viewing information:

• Date: Saturday, December 13, 2025
• Time: 11:30 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) / 8:30 p.m. Pacific Time (PT)
• Channel: NBC
• Streaming: The episode will stream live on Peacock for all subscribers. Full episodes and clips are also available the next day on NBC.com and Hulu.

Don't miss the chance to see the latest installment of the long-running sketch comedy show, as SNL continues its tradition of delivering topical, live comedy from the heart of New York City's Studio 8H. The countdown is on for what promises to be an unforgettable night of television.