Finn Wolfhard launches his next chapter after 'Stranger Things' with a major live TV debut
Finn Wolfhard is stepping into a new phase of his career, and his next move brings him straight to one of television's most iconic stages. Fresh off the conclusion of 'Stranger Things', the actor and musician is set to make his 'Saturday Night Live' debut as host on January 17, as per ScreenRant. This marks his first major TV appearance since the Netflix phenomenon wrapped up on New Year's Eve. Wolfhard became a global star almost overnight when 'Stranger Things' premiered in 2016, turning him into a household name before he had even reached adulthood.
Over the past decade, he's carefully balanced blockbuster films and indie projects, appearing in the 'It' franchise, 'Ghostbusters: Afterlife', 'Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire', and the Hollywood satire 'Saturday Night'. His upcoming 'SNL' episode will feature A$AP Rocky as the guest, who will use the night to spotlight his anticipated album 'Don’t Be Dumb'. The episode also kicks off a stacked run of first-time hosts for the long-running NBC sketch series. Following Wolfhard, Teyana Taylor will take the reins on January 24 with musical guest Geese, who recently dropped their album 'Getting Killed'.
January will close with Alexander Skarsgård hosting on January 31 alongside Cardi B, whose late-2025 release 'Am I the Drama?' has already generated major buzz. Notably, Wolfhard, Taylor, and Skarsgård will each be making their hosting debuts. For Wolfhard, the timing couldn't be more fitting. While he's never hosted 'SNL' before, he does share an unusual connection to the show. In 2024, he portrayed an NBC page in 'Saturday Night', a film centered on the chaotic origins of ‘SNL’ and the early days of creator Lorne Michaels. That role offered him a behind-the-scenes look at the institution he's now about to lead live from Studio 8H.
While hosting duties often align with promotional cycles, Wolfhard's appearance feels more like a personal milestone than a press stop. With 'Stranger Things' officially concluded, the actor plans to shift his focus toward music. Over the years, he's been part of multiple bands, including Calpurnia and The Aubreys. In June 2025, Wolfhard released his debut solo album, 'Happy Birthday'. During the final press run for 'Stranger Things', he even brought that side of his artistry to late-night TV, performing 'Trailers After Dark' on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon'.
His 'SNL' hosting gig offers another opportunity to merge his acting background with his musical ambitions in front of a live audience. That said, Wolfhard isn't stepping away from acting entirely. He already has a role lined up in the upcoming film 'Crash Land' and is developing a biopic about influential punk rock band The Replacements, which he will write and produce. Taking the 'SNL' stage allows Wolfhard to close one chapter while confidently opening another. And according to Variety, ‘Saturday Night Live’ returns on Saturday, January 17, airing at 11:30 pm ET on NBC.
