Connor Storrie is bringing his Russian alter ego to late night, and he’s not leaving the accent at the door.
The Heated Rivalry breakout, known for his commanding turn as Ilya Rozanov, steps into Studio 8H this week for his first hosting gig on Saturday Night Live. Ahead of the episode, NBC dropped a promo that leans straight into Storrie’s vocal talents, and his willingness to spar.
The clip opens with Storrie seated between cast members Ashley Padilla and Marcelo Hernandez, who reminisce about the steamy sports drama that turned him into a fan favorite. Padilla jokes that by the finale she was “completely dehydrated,” prompting Storrie to flash a satisfied grin and deliver a cheeky, “You’re welcome.” The tone is set.
An Accent Arms Race
Hernandez soon pivots to Storrie’s convincing Russian dialect on Heated Rivalry, teeing up what becomes a full-on linguistic faceoff. Storrie claims he can handle “all kinds of accents,” which is apparently an open invitation for James Austin Johnson to enter the frame like a gunslinger in a spaghetti Western.
What follows plays like a high-noon duel, only instead of pistols, they trade pronunciations. German? Storrie responds by chugging a beer with theatrical gusto. Cajun? French? Shakespearean English? Each suggestion escalates the absurdity. Someone even throws in Shrek and Na’vi for good measure, because subtlety is overrated at Studio 8H.
When the idea of attempting Jamaican accents surfaces, both performers immediately retreat. “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” Storrie says, wisely reading the room. It’s a rare beat of restraint in a promo built on bravado.
At one point, challenged to revisit his Russian persona, Storrie drops a line that feels ripped from Ilya Rozanov’s playbook: “When you get to Hell, tell them Rozanov sent you.” It’s melodramatic, intense, and exactly the kind of wink fans expect.
From Heated Rivalry to Heated Wizardry
Storrie’s arrival at SNL follows the show’s own playful jab at Heated Rivalry earlier this season. During its midseason return, the sketch series spoofed the drama with a parody titled “Heated Wizardry.” The bit featured host Finn Wolfhard alongside cast member Ben Marshall as exaggerated versions of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley, turning simmering tension into outright magical mayhem.
The sendup signaled that the series had permeated pop culture, and that Storrie’s smoldering performance hadn’t gone unnoticed in comedy circles.
Now, instead of being spoofed, he’s steering the ship.
A Musical Return, Too
Joining Storrie for the episode is Mumford & Sons, who will serve as musical guest. The band is set to promote its upcoming album Prizefighter, which was released on Feb. 20. The appearance marks another high-profile stop in the group’s rollout and adds an arena-ready soundtrack to the night.
As always, Saturday Night Live is produced in association with Broadway Video, the company founded by creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels. Michaels has long had a knack for pairing buzzy first-time hosts with timely cultural moments, and Storrie fits squarely into that tradition.
Why This Hosting Gig Matters
For Storrie, the booking signals a shift from streaming heartthrob to mainstream mainstay. Hosting SNL remains a rite of passage, especially for actors riding a breakout wave. The promo suggests he’s game to poke fun at his own intensity while showcasing range beyond brooding locker-room stares.
If the teaser is any indication, viewers can expect self-awareness, a dash of ego, and at least one callback to Rozanov’s icy glare. Whether he leans into sports melodrama or pivots to something entirely unexpected, the episode positions him as more than a one-role wonder.
And if anyone ends up in comedy hell by the end of the night? According to Storrie, they’ll know exactly who sent them.
