NBC has announced that the 40th season premiere of "Saturday Night Live" will be hosted by Chris Pratt, reports The New York Times.

The "Parks and Recreation" actor, who also starred in the box-office movie "Guardians of the Galaxy," will be appearing alongside "Problem" hit maker Ariana Grande, who will serve as a musical guest following the success of her album "My Everything."

The second episode of "Saturday Night Live" season 40 will be the hosting debut of actress Sarah Silverman, The Huffington Post has learned.

Silverman, who was once a regular cast of "Saturday Night Live," will be joined by musical guest "The Voice" coach Adam Levine's band Maroon 5. The said episode that will air on October 4 also marks the band's fifth appearance on SNL, according to Rolling Stone.

The 40th season of the late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show is expected to feature more changes among its cast. Earlier this summer, Noël Wells, John Milhiser and Brooks Wheelan were dismissed from the sketch series. In addition to this, Nasim Pedrad, the show's five-season veteran, left in order to co-star on Fox's upcoming series "Mulaney."

Featured player Michael Patrick O'Brien is also speculated to be leaving his post, noted Deadline. According to the unconfirmed report, O'Brien may either go back to being a writing staff on "Saturday Night Live" or become a co-host on "Weekend Update," alongside Colin Jost.

This season will also be the first in decades without the voice of Don Pardo, the show's announcer who passed away last month at the age of 96. For 38 seasons, Pardo's signature vocal delivery was staple on "Saturday Night Live." NBC has not made any announcements yet regarding Pardo's replacement.

In the later part of the upcoming season, "Saturday Night Live" will be celebrating its 40th anniversary. Set on February 15, 2015, the show's anniversary event will feature past and present cast members as well as a long lineup of former guests.