The Crown Star Josh O’Connor Hosts SNL Tonight: 7 Shocking Details About His Debut And The New Knives Out Mystery

The question of "Who is hosting SNL tonight?" is officially answered: It is British actor Josh O’Connor, best known globally for his Emmy-winning portrayal of Prince Charles in Netflix’s *The Crown*. The episode airs live from Studio 8H on Saturday, December 13, 2025, marking the eighth installment of *Saturday Night Live*'s high-profile Season 51.

O’Connor’s hosting debut is a major moment for the acclaimed dramatic actor, signaling a surprising pivot to live comedy to promote his upcoming blockbuster film. The star will be joined by the provocative English singer-songwriter Lily Allen, who returns as the musical guest to perform tracks from her critically acclaimed new album, *West End Girl*.

Josh O’Connor: Biography, Filmography, and The Knives Out Connection

Josh O’Connor is one of the most respected British actors of his generation, known for his intense, nuanced performances across film and television. His appearance on *Saturday Night Live* (SNL) is timed perfectly to generate buzz for his next major cinematic role.

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• Full Name: Joshua O’Connor
• Born: May 20, 1990, in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England
• Education: Trained at the prestigious Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
• Breakthrough Role: Playing a young sheep farmer in the 2017 romantic drama *God's Own Country*, a role that earned him a British Independent Film Award.
• Emmy-Winning Performance: His most famous role is Prince Charles in seasons three and four of *The Crown*. He won the Primetime Emmy Award and the Golden Globe Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Drama Series in 2021.
• Other Notable Projects: Larry Durrell in the ITV series *The Durrells*, roles in *Peaky Blinders* and *Ripper Street*, and the recent critically lauded films *Challengers* and *La Chimera*.

The Knives Out Mystery That Brought Him to SNL

O’Connor is making his SNL debut to promote his pivotal role in Rian Johnson's highly anticipated third installment of the murder mystery franchise, *Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery*.

He stars as Reverend Jud Duplenticy, an idealistic but anxious young priest caught up in the latest case of Detective Benoit Blanc (Daniel Craig).

The film boasts one of the most stacked ensemble casts of the year, providing O'Connor with a massive platform that will undoubtedly be referenced in his SNL monologue and sketches. The incredible cast of suspects and characters includes:

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• Daniel Craig (as Benoit Blanc)
• Glenn Close
• Mila Kunis
• Jeremy Renner
• Kerry Washington (as Vera Draven)
• Andrew Scott (as Lee Ross)
• Cailee Spaeny (as Simone Vivane)
• Daryl McCormack (as Cy Draven)
• Thomas Haden Church (as Samson Holt)

Musical Guest Spotlight: Lily Allen’s Triumphant Return to Studio 8H

Joining Josh O’Connor for the December 13th episode is the acclaimed British singer-songwriter and actress Lily Allen. This marks Allen's second time performing on the SNL stage, returning after a significant seven-year hiatus from releasing a full studio album.

Allen is currently promoting her fifth studio album, *West End Girl*, which was released on October 24, 2025, via BMG. The album has been widely discussed as a brutally honest, post-breakup record that was reportedly written in a short 10-day period after a major life event.

Fans are eagerly anticipating which tracks she will perform live, with the most likely contenders being the album’s most popular and evocative songs.

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• Key Tracks from *West End Girl* (2025):
• "West End Girl" (Title Track)
• "Ruminating"
• "Sleepwalking"
• "Tennis" (A fan-favorite single)
• "Madeline"
• "Pussy Palace"
• "4chan Stan"

Allen's return to the show, coupled with O'Connor's debut, sets the stage for a transatlantic episode that blends high-brow drama with raw, confessional pop music.

What to Expect from Josh O’Connor’s SNL Debut

The transition from a serious, character-driven actor to a live sketch comedian is always a high-wire act on the SNL stage. O'Connor's history suggests a few key areas the writers and cast will likely exploit.

1. The Royal Treatment (Prince Charles Parody)

The most obvious sketch bait will be his role as Prince Charles. Expect a parody of *The Crown*, perhaps showing the future King in a bizarre, mundane modern situation, or even an interaction with the current SNL cast members like Heidi Gardner or Bowen Yang. The writers at SNL, led by Lorne Michaels, rarely miss an opportunity to satirize the British Royal Family.

2. The Knives Out Whodunnit Sketch

Given the timing, a sketch featuring O'Connor’s Reverend Jud Duplenticy and Daniel Craig's Benoit Blanc is almost guaranteed. This could involve a chaotic mystery where the entire SNL Season 51 cast—including veterans like Kenan Thompson, Colin Jost, and Michael Che, and newer stars like Sarah Sherman and Marcello Hernández—are suspects in a bizarre murder.

3. The 'Challengers' Tennis Drama

O'Connor's recent performance in the highly sensual and intense tennis drama *Challengers* is ripe for parody. A sketch involving the film's love triangle, exaggerated tennis moves, or a commentary on the film's fashion could be a major highlight.

The episode promises to be a cultural cross-section of the moment, combining prestige television, a major cinematic mystery, and a highly anticipated music comeback. Tune in tonight, Saturday, December 13, 2025, to see if the dramatic actor can master the delicate art of live comedy.

Looking Ahead: The Final Episode of 2025

Following O’Connor and Allen’s performance, *Saturday Night Live* will close out its 2025 run with another star-studded episode on December 20, 2025.

The final host of the year will be global superstar Ariana Grande, who will be pulling double duty as both the host and the musical guest for the season’s Christmas finale. Grande’s appearance will be another major cultural event for Season 51, setting a high bar for the show's return in the new year.