The Crown Star Makes SNL Debut: Everything To Know About This Week's Host, Josh O'Connor (Dec 13, 2025)

The anticipation is reaching a fever pitch for the next episode of Saturday Night Live, set to air this Saturday, December 13, 2025. Following a stellar run of episodes for Season 51, Studio 8H is welcoming a new face to the hosting stage: the acclaimed British actor, Josh O’Connor. This week’s broadcast marks O’Connor’s highly-anticipated debut as an SNL host, an event that promises a blend of royal gravitas and modern, viral-ready comedy sketches.

The episode will be further energized by the return of a pop music icon, Lily Allen, who is back on the SNL stage for the first time in nearly two decades. With O'Connor's recent blockbuster success in the tennis drama Challengers and Allen's fresh new album, this installment is shaping up to be one of the most talked-about episodes of the season, blending high-brow acting talent with a long-awaited musical comeback.

Who is Josh O'Connor? The British Actor's Rise to Stardom

Josh O'Connor, born on May 20, 1990, in Southampton, Hampshire, England, has rapidly become one of the most respected actors of his generation. His journey to the Saturday Night Live stage in New York is the culmination of a decade-long career defined by critically acclaimed, transformative roles. While he is now a global star, his early career included supporting roles in popular British series such as Doctor Who and Peaky Blinders.

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His breakthrough moment came in 2017 with the film God's Own Country, where his raw and moving performance earned him a British Independent Film Award.

Josh O'Connor: A Complete Biography and Profile

• Full Name: Joshua O’Connor
• Born: May 20, 1990
• Age: 35 (as of December 2025)
• Birthplace: Southampton, Hampshire, England
• Nationality: British
• Education: Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
• Breakthrough Role: Johnny Saxby in God's Own Country (2017)
• Most Famous Role: Charles, Prince of Wales (now King Charles III), in the Netflix series The Crown (Seasons 3 and 4)
• Major Awards: Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (for The Crown), Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Television Series Drama (for The Crown)
• Notable Projects: The Durrells (2016-2019), Emma. (2020), Challengers (2024), La Chimera (2023)
• SNL Appearance: Hosting Debut (December 13, 2025)

From Royal Drama to Studio 8H: O'Connor's Path to Comedy

O’Connor is most recognized globally for his Emmy-winning portrayal of a young Prince Charles in the mega-hit Netflix drama, The Crown. His nuanced performance of the future King Charles III during his tumultuous early years cemented O'Connor as a major international talent. The creator of the series, Peter Morgan, has often praised O’Connor’s ability to capture the complexity and vulnerability of the royal figure.

While his work in The Crown showcased his dramatic depth, his most recent high-profile role in the Luca Guadagnino-directed film Challengers—alongside Zendaya and Mike Faist—demonstrated his versatility and ability to handle high-octane, emotionally charged narratives. Playing the former tennis prodigy Patrick Zweig, O'Connor had to physically transform, a process he has spoken about in interviews. The intense buzz around the "trio" dynamics in the tennis drama has made O'Connor a household name, setting the perfect stage for his venture into live sketch comedy.

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The transition from the regal seriousness of a royal drama and the athletic intensity of a tennis love triangle to the unpredictable chaos of Saturday Night Live is a challenging one, particularly for a first-time host. However, O'Connor has expressed a mix of nerves and excitement, calling the hosting gig "The Biggest Honor." Fans are eagerly anticipating how the British actor will handle the American sketch comedy format, especially given his knack for subtle, yet hilarious, physical comedy seen in earlier projects like The Durrells.

Lily Allen's Grand Return: A Musical Guest Comeback

Joining Josh O'Connor is the iconic British pop star, Lily Allen, who is making a significant return to the Saturday Night Live stage. This performance on December 13, 2025, marks Allen's second appearance as the musical guest—a notable comeback after a 17-year hiatus since her debut in February 2007.

Allen’s return is perfectly timed with the release of her eagerly anticipated fifth studio album, West End Girl, which dropped in October 2025. Known for her witty, observational lyrics and blending pop, reggae, and ska influences, Allen’s music has always been a cultural touchstone. Her new album, which she has described as a "tell-all" record, follows her previous acclaimed works, including her 2006 debut Alright, Still (featuring the hit "Smile") and 2009's It's Not Me, It's You.

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The multi-talented artist, who is both Brit Award-winning and Grammy-nominated, had been focusing on other ventures, with her last album No Shame released in 2018. Her decision to step back into the musical spotlight and choose SNL for a major performance highlights the significance of her new material. Fans are speculating which tracks from West End Girl she will perform, with many hoping for a live rendition of the album's lead single, which has been generating significant buzz for its candid lyrics and throwback sound. Her performance is a key moment for the artist, signaling a full-fledged return to her pop career.

What to Expect from the O'Connor and Allen Episode

The dynamic between a dramatic actor making his hosting debut and a pop star on a comeback trail guarantees an exciting and unpredictable night of live television. For Josh O'Connor, the challenge will be to translate his intense dramatic presence into the quick-change world of sketch comedy. Viewers can likely anticipate sketches that poke fun at his most famous roles:

• Royal Parodies: A sketch featuring O'Connor as an overly serious, cardigan-wearing Prince Charles navigating modern, trivial situations.
• Tennis Drama: A parody of Challengers, perhaps featuring cast members as Zendaya's Tashi Duncan and Mike Faist’s Art Donaldson, playing a high-stakes, ridiculously dramatic tennis match.
• British vs. American Culture: As a distinguished British actor, O'Connor is ripe for sketches that play on cultural differences, misunderstandings, and the American perception of British formality.

Lily Allen’s musical segments are expected to be equally memorable. Her previous 2007 appearance was iconic, and her return is a major event for long-time fans and a new generation discovering her sharp, satirical pop style. The opportunity to perform tracks from West End Girl on the Studio 8H stage provides an unparalleled platform to showcase her renewed musical energy and songwriting prowess. This combination of a dramatic powerhouse and a pop provocateur ensures the December 13th episode will be a must-watch event for Saturday Night Live Season 51.