Saturday Night Live Kicks Off 2026 Season with Finn Wolfhard
Saturday Night Live has officially returned for its 2026 season. The iconic comedy show came back after its winter break with a special episode. Finn Wolfhard, best known as Mike Wheeler from Stranger Things, made his hosting debut on the program.
Wolfhard's Hosting Debut Marks Career Milestone
Finn Wolfhard stepped onto the SNL stage fresh from completing the final season of Stranger Things. The actor began his monologue by addressing the end of the beloved sci-fi series. He noted that he was just twelve years old when he started on the show.
"It's so amazing that 400 million people got to watch me go through puberty," Wolfhard told the audience with a smile.
From Child Star to Adult Performer
The young actor used his monologue to joke about his transition from child star to adult performer. Wolfhard addressed the audience directly about how people still perceive him.
"I know a lot of people still see me as the kid from Stranger Things, right? But I'm 23 now, and I'm proud to officially announce that I am a man," he declared.
Wolfhard continued with self-deprecating humor about his physical changes. "Oh yeah, that's right. Things are different now. Like, for example, I have facial hair. Can we zoom in on it? It might only be one hair, but the party starts when the first guest arrives," he added, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Stranger Things Reunion on SNL Stage
The monologue turned into an unexpected reunion when two familiar faces joined Wolfhard on stage. His former Stranger Things co-stars Gaten Matarazzo and Caleb McLaughlin appeared to support their friend.
The three actors shared a warm moment that clearly resonated with the studio audience. They toasted their transition from child actors to adult roles together.
"We're former child stars, and any time you read 'Former child star' in a headline, it can only mean good things," they joked in unison. The audience erupted in enthusiastic applause at this heartfelt moment.
A$AP Rocky Makes Musical Debut
The episode also featured rapper A$AP Rocky as the musical guest. This marked his debut performance on Saturday Night Live. The artist performed three songs from his new album 'Don't Be Dumb', which had just been released the previous Friday.
Wolfhard's Recent Career Moves
Finn Wolfhard recently wrapped filming on the final season of Stranger Things. He has starred in the hit Netflix series since its first season debuted back in 2016. His SNL hosting gig represents a significant career milestone as he moves beyond his most famous role.
The 2026 season premiere of Saturday Night Live successfully blended nostalgia with fresh entertainment. It celebrated Wolfhard's growth as a performer while giving fans a delightful Stranger Things reunion. The combination of Wolfhard's hosting, the co-star cameos, and A$AP Rocky's musical performance created a memorable season opener.
