Sky has officially unveiled the inaugural cast for Saturday Night Live UK, confirming the 11 comedy performers who will make up the first-ever British incarnation of the legendary late-night sketch series.
Launching live on March 21, the six-episode Sky Original will air weekly on Sky and streaming service NOW, finally bringing the iconic call of ‘Live from London, it’s Saturday Night!’ to UK audiences.
Saturday Night Live UK marks the first British adaptation of NBC’s long-running US institution, with each episode written, rehearsed and performed within a single week, before being broadcast live in front of a studio audience.
The full ‘Saturday Night Live UK’ cast
The newly announced ensemble features a mix of stand-up comics, sketch performers, theatre actors and musical comedians:
- Hammed Animashaun
- Ayoade Bamgboye
- Larry Dean
- Celeste Dring
- George Fouracres
- Ania Magliano
- Annabel Marlow
- Al Nash
- Jack Shep
- Emma Sidi
- Paddy Young
Writers for the series are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
A distinctly British take on a global comedy institution
Each live episode will follow the classic SNL format, including an opening monologue, topical sketches, live musical performances and a UK spin on the iconic ‘Weekend Update’ news satire. A new guest host and chart-topping musical act will appear every week.
Lead Producer James Longman praised the ensemble, saying the cast represents ‘the freshest voices we have’ in UK comedy, adding that their chemistry is already ‘something special’.
Sky’s Executive Director of Unscripted Originals Phil Edgar-Jones OBE also highlighted the significance of the launch, calling the show ‘one of the most exciting things to happen in British comedy in years’, with the backing of Lorne Michaels and a UK based production team.
‘SNL UK’ is backed by comedy heavyweights
Saturday Night Live UK is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio’s UK production team and Broadway Video for Sky and NOW. Lorne Michaels serves as Executive Producer, alongside James Longman, Director Liz Clare, and Head Writer Daran Jonno Johnson.
The series was commissioned by Sky Studios, with production overseen by Helen Kruger Bratt and Shanna Baynard.
