The first episode of 2026 of Saturday Night Live kicked off with an unexpected twist that had fans buzzing. Hosted by Finn Wolfhard, best known for his role in Stranger Things, the episode featured a parody sketch that cleverly blended wizardry with romance.
Titled Heated Wizardry, the sketch reimagined the world of Harry Potter film series through an unusual lens. Inspired by the hockey romance narrative of Heated Rivalry, the parody presented older versions of Harry Potter and Ron Weasley navigating a secret romantic storyline. Wolfhard and comedian Ben Marshall portrayed the iconic duo as 18-year-olds whose competitive friendship takes an unexpectedly emotional turn.
The storyline leaned into fan-fiction-style storytelling, beginning with a tender and awkward moment inside Hogwarts when the two share a brief touch while picking up a dropped wand. From there, the sketch escalates into playful flirting and emotionally charged interactions. A Quidditch match becomes less about sport and more about the simmering tension between the characters, as their rivalry evolves into something more personal.
The professors are quick to notice. Severus Snape observes the situation with curiosity, while Minerva McGonagall reacts with subtle amusement. In this comedic reinterpretation, Hogwarts is depicted less like a traditional school and more like a college campus, reinforcing the sketch’s mature tone.
The parody also includes appearances from familiar characters like Hermione, Draco, and Moody. A surprise cameo features Hagrid, portrayed by Jason Momoa, while Dobby makes a brief but memorable appearance toward the end.
Reacting to the sketch, Daniel Radcliffe, who famously portrayed Harry Potter in all eight films, revealed that Wolfhard had texted him in advance to give him a heads-up. Speaking to Rolling Stone, Radcliffe shared that he found the sketch “very funny and sweet,” adding that he enjoys seeing new interpretations of the beloved character.
This is not the first time SNL has explored the wizarding world. Back in 2013, Radcliffe himself appeared on the show in a memorable sketch that humorously revisited his iconic role.
With Heated Wizardry, SNL once again proves that even the most legendary franchises can be reinvented with a comedic twist.
