Paul Mescal Can't Shake HisGladiator IIKiller Tendencies in IntenseSaturday Night LivePromo

Mar. 15, 2025

Paul Mescalcan’t seem to shake hisGladiator IIkiller instincts.In the first promo forhis upcoming hosting debut onSaturday Night Live, the Irish actor, 28, is giddy for showtime — but not everyone on the cast is going to make it there alive if he has his way.AfterHeidi GardnerandDevon Walkerfind him in the studio early for the first table read, Mescal admitted, “I like to get a feel for the space,” which led Gardner, 41, to assume he was “one of those method guys.“Mescal shut down that idea quickly, telling her that’s “not my style,” but when Walker, 33, thought his castmate accidentally had his script and Gardner disagreed, Mescal fell right back into his latest role as Lucius Verus, the son ofRussell Crowe’sGladiatorhero Maximus.“And so it shall be. A fight to the death,” he declared, his Irish accent gone and the accent of hisGladiator IIcharacter in its place.Paul Mescal, Devon Walker and Heidi Gardner on ‘Saturday Night Live’.Saturday Night Live/YouTubeMescal then pulled out two swords and declared, “For glory! And for truth!“His attempt to settle the squabble was ruined, though, when a confused Walker said Gardner “could just have the script.“He wasn’t out of the woods yet, though, asMikey Dayapproached next and delivered the news that Mescal wouldn’t be able to playDon Jr.on this Saturday’s episode like he’d wanted. “I hate to be that guy, but, that’s kind of my thing,” Day said.The actor took the news well and walked off with a smile, prompting Day to comment on what a “nice guy” Mescal is — just seconds before he was shot with an arrow to the chest and theGladiator IItheme began to play.Mikey Day, Devon Walker and Heidi Gardner on ‘Saturday Night Live’.Saturday Night Live/YouTube"A man must fight for what is rightfully his,” Mescal declared as he held a bow in his hands, his accent from theRidley Scottsequel back in full force. “I will have vengeance – or I will have death.“As the hilarious promo clip ended, Mescal snapped out of hisGladiator IIhaze and was giddy as he told Gardner and Walker, “It’s gonna be real fun this week, guys. I’ll see you at the read-through!“Host Paul Mescal during SNL Promos in Studio 8H on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.Rosalind O’Connor/NBCShaboozeywill be the musical guest for the Dec. 7 episode ofSNL, and the show announced the lineup for the remaining two shows of the year earlier this week.Ironically, Mescal’s girlfriendGracie Abramswill also make her debut on the show as musical guest the week after he hosts, alongside hostChris Rock, and the Dec. 21 show will close out 2024 withMartin Shortas host andHozieras musical guest.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.Saturday Night Liveairs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

Paul Mescalcan’t seem to shake hisGladiator IIkiller instincts.

In the first promo forhis upcoming hosting debut onSaturday Night Live, the Irish actor, 28, is giddy for showtime — but not everyone on the cast is going to make it there alive if he has his way.

AfterHeidi GardnerandDevon Walkerfind him in the studio early for the first table read, Mescal admitted, “I like to get a feel for the space,” which led Gardner, 41, to assume he was “one of those method guys.”

Mescal shut down that idea quickly, telling her that’s “not my style,” but when Walker, 33, thought his castmate accidentally had his script and Gardner disagreed, Mescal fell right back into his latest role as Lucius Verus, the son ofRussell Crowe’sGladiatorhero Maximus.

“And so it shall be. A fight to the death,” he declared, his Irish accent gone and the accent of hisGladiator IIcharacter in its place.

Paul Mescal, Devon Walker and Heidi Gardner on ‘Saturday Night Live’.Saturday Night Live/YouTube

Saturday Night Live/YouTube

Mescal then pulled out two swords and declared, “For glory! And for truth!”

His attempt to settle the squabble was ruined, though, when a confused Walker said Gardner “could just have the script.”

He wasn’t out of the woods yet, though, asMikey Dayapproached next and delivered the news that Mescal wouldn’t be able to playDon Jr.on this Saturday’s episode like he’d wanted. “I hate to be that guy, but, that’s kind of my thing,” Day said.

The actor took the news well and walked off with a smile, prompting Day to comment on what a “nice guy” Mescal is — just seconds before he was shot with an arrow to the chest and theGladiator IItheme began to play.

Mikey Day, Devon Walker and Heidi Gardner on ‘Saturday Night Live’.Saturday Night Live/YouTube

“A man must fight for what is rightfully his,” Mescal declared as he held a bow in his hands, his accent from theRidley Scottsequel back in full force. “I will have vengeance – or I will have death.”

As the hilarious promo clip ended, Mescal snapped out of hisGladiator IIhaze and was giddy as he told Gardner and Walker, “It’s gonna be real fun this week, guys. I’ll see you at the read-through!”

Host Paul Mescal during SNL Promos in Studio 8H on Tuesday, December 3, 2024.Rosalind O’Connor/NBC

Rosalind O’Connor/NBC

Shaboozeywill be the musical guest for the Dec. 7 episode ofSNL, and the show announced the lineup for the remaining two shows of the year earlier this week.

Ironically, Mescal’s girlfriendGracie Abramswill also make her debut on the show as musical guest the week after he hosts, alongside hostChris Rock, and the Dec. 21 show will close out 2024 withMartin Shortas host andHozieras musical guest.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Saturday Night Liveairs Saturdays at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC.

source: people.com