For fans of late-night comedy, the absence of new episodes from “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) in recent weeks has been hard to miss. The iconic sketch comedy series, now in its 51st season, is currently on a brief hiatus as NBC shifts its focus to coverage of the 2026 Olympics. According to NBC, there was no new episode on Saturday, February 14, 2026, marking the fourth break in the current season. But viewers can rest assured: SNL will be back on Saturday, February 28, 2026, with a fresh episode and some notable guests ready to take the stage.
The upcoming return is set to feature actor Connor Storrie making his hosting debut. Storrie, 25, is known for his role as Ilya Rozanov in the steamy Crave television series “Heated Rivalry.” This marks a significant moment for the young actor, whose profile has been steadily rising thanks to his performance in the hit series. SNL has already poked fun at "Heated Rivalry" in a memorable skit titled "Heated Wizardry," where Finn Wolfhard and Ben Marshall spoofed the show by playing Harry Potter and Ron Weasley in a steamy parody, as reported by NBC and other outlets.
Alongside Storrie, the musical guest for the February 28 episode will be Mumford & Sons. The British folk rock band is no stranger to the SNL stage—this will be their fourth appearance, having previously performed in September 2012, April 2015, and December 2018. This time, the group will be promoting their highly anticipated sixth studio album, “Prizefighter.” The band’s consistent presence on SNL over the years is a testament to their enduring popularity and the show’s knack for booking high-profile musical acts.
SNL’s 51st season kicked off on October 4, 2025, with Bad Bunny as host and Doja Cat as the musical guest. The season has featured a diverse lineup of talent, both in terms of hosts and musical guests. Amy Poehler, a beloved former cast member and "Weekend Update" anchor, returned to host on October 11, 2025, joined by musical guest Role Model. Poehler’s appearances are always a highlight for longtime fans, and this episode was no exception, featuring a surprise cameo from Tina Fey during the cold open, according to multiple sources.
Singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter took on double duty as both host and musical guest on October 18, 2025. This was Carpenter’s first time hosting, though she had previously performed on the show in 2024 and at the SNL50 anniversary special in February 2025 alongside Paul Simon. The episode was a showcase of her versatility and growing stardom.
Other notable episodes this season included actor Miles Teller hosting on November 1, 2025, with Brandi Carlile as the musical guest. Teller had previously hosted in October 2022, while Carlile’s appearance marked her third time performing on SNL, having previously graced the stage in October 2021, December 2022, and alongside Elton John in April 2025. Stand-up comedian Nikki Glaser made her SNL hosting debut on November 8, 2025, joined by 20-year-old musical guest Sombr, who was also making his debut.
Glen Powell, another first-time host, took the stage on November 15, 2025, with Olivia Dean as the musical guest. Dean, a 2026 Grammy nominee for Best New Artist, brought fresh energy to the show. After a two-week hiatus, SNL returned on December 6, 2025, with Melissa McCarthy hosting for the sixth time, her first since 2017, and Dijon making his musical debut. The following week, Josh O’Connor hosted with Lily Allen as the musical guest—her first appearance on the show since 2007.
December 20, 2025, saw Ariana Grande return as host for the third time, with Cher joining as the musical guest. Cher’s performance was particularly notable, marking her second time as musical guest, her first being all the way back in 1987. The show then entered a winter hiatus, with no new episodes airing on December 27, January 3, or January 10.
After the break, SNL came back strong on January 17, 2026, with “Stranger Things” actor Finn Wolfhard making his hosting debut and rapper A$AP Rocky as the musical guest. Teyana Taylor hosted on January 24, 2026, with Geese providing the music, followed by Alexander Skarsgård’s hosting debut on January 31, 2026, with Cardi B returning as musical guest.
Behind the scenes, SNL has seen some changes this season. Colin Jost and Michael Che continue their roles as co-anchors of “Weekend Update,” maintaining their status as some of the longest-serving anchors in the show’s history. Familiar faces like Kenan Thompson, Chloe Fineman, and Mikey Day have returned, anchoring the cast with their comedic prowess. The featured players this season include Andrew Dismukes, Marcello Hernandez, James Austin Johnson, Sarah Sherman, Ashley Padilla, and Jane Wickline. Five new featured players have joined the ranks: Ben Marshall, Tommy Brennan, Jeremy Culhane, Kam Patterson, and Veronika Slowikowska. Notably, Bowen Yang, Heidi Gardner, Ego Nwodim, Devon Walker, Michael Longfellow, and Emil Wakim have all departed, along with several writers, including Celeste Yim and Rosebud Baker.
Looking ahead, SNL fans have more to look forward to. On Saturday, March 7, 2026, Ryan Gosling will return as host, promoting his upcoming film “Project Hail Mary.” Gosling is a familiar face at Studio 8H, having previously hosted in December 2015, September 2017, and April 2024. He’ll be joined by musical guest Gorillaz, who are making their SNL debut while promoting their new album “The Mountain.” The pairing of Gosling and Gorillaz is sure to be a highlight of the season, promising both comedic and musical fireworks.
Of course, SNL’s schedule has included several breaks this season, with no new episodes airing on certain Saturdays: October 25, November 22, November 29, December 27, January 3, January 10, February 7, February 14, and February 21, 2026. These gaps are not unusual for the long-running series, which often takes breaks for holidays, special events, or—this year—major network priorities like the Olympics.
For those eager to catch up or rewatch favorite sketches, SNL airs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC, and episodes are available to stream on Peacock the day after they air. The show is also accessible on a variety of streaming platforms, including Fubo TV, DirecTV Stream, and Hulu + Live TV, with each offering their own free trial periods and some geographic limitations. NBC’s own streaming service, Peacock, remains the most direct option for fans.
As “Saturday Night Live” prepares to return to the airwaves, fans can look forward to more live laughs, buzzy musical performances, and the unpredictable magic that has kept the show a cultural touchstone for over five decades. With fresh faces and familiar favorites both in front of and behind the camera, the rest of Season 51 promises plenty of surprises—and maybe, just maybe, a few new classic sketches to add to the show’s legendary legacy.