Everything you need to know about Saturday Night Live UK

In America, Saturday Night Live has been a television institution for the past 50 years – and now it’s being given a makeover for its first foray over the Atlantic to the UK.

Broadcast live each week, this brand-new UK version brings the high-wire, anything-can-happen energy that makes SNL a cultural force, now reimagined through a distinctly British lens. A new guest host will take the helm each week, putting their distinctive stamp on the SNL formula alongside a chart-topping musical guest.

Alongside each celebrity guest host will be a chart-topping musical act who will perform throughout the night as well.

Saturday Night Live UK is executive produced by Lorne Michaels, who has been the long-standing boss of SNL on NBC in the US.  The show is produced by Broadway Video and Universal Television Alternative Studio’s UK production team.

Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios and Chief Content Officer at Sky, said of the new project: “For over 50 years Saturday Night Live has held a unique position in TV and in our collective culture, reflecting and creating the global conversation all under the masterful comedic guidance of Lorne Michaels.

“The show has discovered and nurtured countless comedy and musical talents over the years and we are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show to UK audiences next year – all live from London on Saturday night!”

SNL UK forms part of a bold line-up of Sky Originals and Exclusives coming to Sky and NOW screens in 2026 and beyond. From gripping dramas and films to big entertainment and compelling documentaries, Sky continues to champion distinctive storytelling alongside world-class talent - delivering the must-watch moments set to define the year ahead.

Watch the teaser

**When does Saturday Night Live UK start airing?**

Saturday Night Live UK will launch on March 21st, live at 10pm on Sky One for an eight-episode debut run.

And yes, UK audiences will finally hear the iconic line, “Live from London, it’s Saturday Night!”

**Who are the SNL UK celebrity hosts and musical guests?**

Saturday Night Live UK is making sure they kick off with a bang with famous faces joining them for their first outings.

March 21st: Tina Fey (musical guest: Wet Leg)
March 28th: Jamie Dornan (musical guest: Wolf Alice)
April 4th: Riz Ahmed (musical guest: Kasabian)

More names for the first series are set to be announced in the upcoming weeks, so keep an eye out!

**Who will star in Saturday Night Live UK ?**

On 4th February 2026, Sky confirmed the inaugural cast of Saturday Night Live UK would be:

Hammed Animashaun (Black Ops, A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Bridge Theatre))
Ayoade Bamgboye (Swings and Roundabouts (Edinburgh Fringe), Rise and Shine with Channel 9)
Larry Dean (The Royal Variety Performance 2024, Live at the Apollo)
Celeste Dring (Lazy Susan, This Country)
George Fouracres (Hamlet (Shakespeare’s Globe), Steve)
Ania Magliano (Taskmaster, Live at the Apollo)
Annabel Marlow (Six The Musical (Edinburgh Fringe), Muriel's Wedding (Leicester Curve))
Al Nash (Michael McIntyre's Big Show )
Jack Shep (Wanting To Be Cool, Having To Be Funny (Comedy Night), Big Boys)
Emma Sidi (Starstruck, Alan Partridge Live: Stratagem)
and Paddy Young (Everyone Else Burns, Mitchell & Webb Are Not Helping)

Find out more about the entire cast and where to find them online here.

Who is the writing team behind Saturday Night Live UK?

In March 2026, Sky confirmed that, on top of our leading cast members, there will be a team of 20 staff writers to bring SNL UK to life.

They will be led by Jonno Johnson (Siblings; Elliott From Earth) as Head Writer on the series, with comedy writer and journalist Charlie Skelton (10 O’Clock Live; 8 Out of 10 Cats), serving as Weekend Update Head Writer.

Johnson said of his team: “The number of funny, talented writers we have got to work on SNL UK is ludicrous. Some of them have been doing this for years, some of them it’s their first ever writing job. All of them make me giddy to come to work each day. Could not imaginably feel luckier that we get to make this show together.”

The SNL UK writers are:

Al Roberts (Stath Lets Flats; Starstruck)
Ayo Adenekan (ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award Best Newcomer for Black Mediocrity)
Bella Hull (Have I Got News For You; Stand Up Sketch Show)
Celya AB (Live At The Apollo; James Acaster’s Springleaf)
Chris Cantrill (Icklewick FM; *Alma’s Not Norma*l)
Ellie Fulcher (Dramaturg on Eat The Rich (but maybe not me mates x) for Soho Theatre)
Gráinne Maguire (The Last Leg; Late Night Mash)
Hari Kanth (The Now Show; Horrible Science)
Humphrey Ker (Mythic Quest; Welcome to Wrexham)
James Farmer (The Last Leg; 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown)
Joseph Moore (Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee; Two Hearts)
Keith Akushie (The Franchise; Siblings)
Laura Claxton (Never Mind The Buzzcocks; Have I Got News For You)
Lorna Rose Treen (BBC Radio 4’s Time of the Week; Chortle’s Best Sketch Act Award)
Louis Waymouth (The Late Late Show with James Corden; The Armstrong & Miller Show)
Nathan Foad (Newark, Newark; Our Flag Means Death)
Omar Badawy (So You Think You’re Funny winner)
Omodara Olatunji (Say! Less!)

**Who has starred in the US version of Saturday Night Live?**

In the US Saturday Night Live has become known for being a launchpad for up-and-coming comedians and writers, who have gone on to become major stars in their own right.

This has included over the years:

Will Ferrell
Eddie Murphy
Seth Meyers
Jimmy Fallon
Tina Fey
Amy Poehler
Kristen Wiig
Jason Sudeikis
Andy Samberg
Maya Rudolph
Kenan Thompson
Kate McKinnon
Pete Davidson
Mike Myers

**How can I be an audience member for Saturday Night Live UK?**

Audience applications are now fully subscribed for Season One.

**What is the age rating of Saturday Night Live UK?**

Saturday Night Live UK has yet to be given an official rating as it has not yet aired.

We will provide more information when it becomes available.

**How many episodes will Saturday Night Live UK run for?**

Initially announced as a six-episode series, on 20 March Sky announced that they had bolstored the first season of Saturday Night Live UK with an additional two episodes, extending the run to eight 75‑minute shows.