Saturday Night Live UK Unveils Its Inaugural Cast Ahead of March Premiere
After 50 years of the original lighting up American television, Saturday Night Live is officially crossing the pond.
Saturday Night Live UK is set to premiere on Sky and streaming service NOW on March 21, 2026 bringing the iconic late-night format to British audiences for the very first time — and the inaugural cast of 11 has just been revealed .
The comedians taking the stage are Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi, and Paddy Young . The lineup blends theatre veterans, Edinburgh Comedy Award winners, and rising social media talent — a signal that the show is casting a wide net across the UK comedy landscape.
Like its American counterpart, the UK version will feature a guest host each week alongside a musical guest, a British take on "Weekend Update," an opening monologue, and topical sketches — all performed live in front of a studio audience..
Original SNL creator Lorne Michaels is executive producing the British edition, with James Longman serving as Lead Producer, Liz Clare as Director, and Daran Jonno Johnson as Head Writer The show's writers have yet to be announced.
The six-episode first season will air on Sky Max and stream on NOW , though there's no word yet on whether the show will air or stream in the U.S. LateNighter
Producer James Longman described the cast as representing the freshest voices in UK comedy, calling them bold, exciting, and incredibly funny. Hammed Animashaun called the opportunity "a privilege," noting there's no other show like SNL that's been running as long . Ayoade Bamgboye, the 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Award winner, said SNL UK is "the perfect place to accelerate" his learning .
The question now: can the magic of Studio 8H translate to a London stage? We'll find out on March 21.