Sky has officially revealed the 11 comedy performers set to make history as the inaugural cast of ‘Saturday Night Live UK,’ the first-ever British incarnation of NBC’s legendary late-night sketch institution. The six-episode Sky Original series launches next month on 21 March 2026, finally bringing the immortal rallying cry to British screens: “Live from London, it’s Saturday Night!”
The newly announced SNL UK cast features a dynamic mix of stand-up comics, actors and sketch performers from across the UK comedy scene. The ensemble includes Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young. Sky confirmed that additional writers will be announced in the coming weeks.
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Broadcast live each week, ‘Saturday Night Live UK’ aims to capture the white-knuckle spontaneity that has defined the franchise for decades, while filtering it through a distinctly British comedic sensibility. Each episode will welcome a new guest host, who will lead the night’s sketches alongside a chart-topping musical guest, ensuring no two episodes feel the same.
Like its US counterpart, the series is written, rehearsed and performed within a single week, with every episode staged in front of a live studio audience. Viewers can expect an opening monologue, topical and fast-turnaround sketches, live musical performances and a UK-flavoured version of the iconic news satire segment, Weekend Update.
SNL UK is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio’s UK production team and Broadway Video for Sky and streaming service NOW. Lorne Michaels, the creator and long-time executive producer of Saturday Night Live, serves as executive producer. James Longman is on board as Lead Producer, Liz Clare directs, and Daran Jonno Johnson has been named Head Writer.
