Live from London, it’s Saturday Night Live UK on Sky One

Comedy fans rejoice! The UK is getting its own version of the long-running US comedic behemoth Saturday Night Live. With a talented team of writers and performers, the live weekly show will bring the high-wire, anything-can-happen energy of the original – but with a distinctly British slant.

Saturday Night Live UK launches on Saturday 21 March at 10pm on Sky One HD (CH 109). What can you expect? A guest host each week alongside a musical guest, anarchic sketches in front of a live studio audience, a UK take on the satirical Weekend Update – and a twist on the famous tagline: “Live from London, it’s Saturday night!”

Saturday Night Live’s mixture of live and recorded sketches, musical performances, topical satire, celebrity appearances and impressions can be bizarre but it’s been a huge success, running for more than FIFTY YEARS on American TV. And its best bits are embedded in the public consciousness throughout the US and beyond, from irreverent impersonations of politicians to scathing Weekend Update gags and standout sketches like “More Cowbell”.

The guest hosts and musicians have been announced for the first three UK shows, and they’ve gone straight in with some big hitters. The premiere will be hosted by authentic SNL legend Tina Fey, who was the US show’s head writer for seven years, as well as a performer and Weekend Update co-anchor – oh, and she also created some of the best comedy of the 21st century, including Mean Girls, 30 Rock, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt and Girls5Eva. What a start.

Fey will be joined on episode 1 by critically adored indie rockers Wet Leg. Guest hosts for the following episodes are actors Jamie Dornan (The Tourist, A Haunting In Venice) and Riz Ahmed (Sound Of Metal, Four Lions) with music from Wolf Alice and Kasabian.

SNL is also known as an incredible springboard for the finest North American comedy talent, dozens of whom have gone on to brilliant TV and film careers. Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, Mike Myers, Tina Fey, Dan Aykroyd, Amy Poehler, Kristen Wiig, Andy Samberg, Bill Hader, Kate McKinnon – the list is almost endless, and these are stars without whom it would be impossible to imagine the comedy landscape today.

It’s very early days for the new SNL UK cast, of course – no pressure to be the next Will Ferrell, guys! – but the powers behind the show have cast the net wide to find a top-notch creative team. The writers have been drawn from TV and radio comedy, stand-up and theatre, while the line-up of performers goes well beyond the usual familiar faces from panel shows and popular podcasts, featuring lots of people forging their own path online or onstage. Scroll down to meet them.

Where have I seen him before? Animashaun is best-known for his BAFTA-nominated performance in comedy series Black Ops. But he’s also starred in The Wheel Of Time, Ludwig and Pls Like, and in several productions on the stage.

His comedy heroes: Lenny Henry, Gina Yashere, Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock.

Animashaun says: “To be a part of something so popular and historic is a privilege. I’ve done a lot of theatre so I feel very much at home on the stage and performing live.”

Where have I seen her before? After quitting her day job, Bamgboye made history when she became the first Black woman to win Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Fringe for her debut show Swings And Roundabouts.

Her comedy heroes: Julio Torres, Jamali Maddix, Patti Harrison, Kristen Wiig, Chris Morris and Zainab Johnson.

Bamgboye says: “There's no better training ground. I'm maybe three, four years into comedy, and it just feels like the perfect place to accelerate my learning.”

Where have I seen him before? The Scottish Comedian of Year recipient has some impressive stand-up credentials including Live At The Apollo, Mock The Week, Roast Battle, Michael McIntyre’s Big Show and the Royal Variety Performance 2024.

His comedy heroes: Richard Pryor and Jim Carrey.

Dean says: “There have been so many people who have appeared on SNL that are my comedy heroes like Jim Carrey, Richard Pryor, Mike Myers and Dana Carvey, so this is exactly what I want to be doing.”

Where have I seen her before? Dring starred in This Country as Kayleigh Hudson and The Windsors as Princess Eugenie, before debuting her own BBC sketch comedy series Lazy Susan with long-term comedy partner Freya Parker.

Her comedy heroes: Kristen Wiig, Julia Davis and everyone from Smack The Pony and Big Train.

Dring says: “It was a no-brainer really. I just love the idea of being creative with a group of brilliantly talented and funny people and the chance to do something new.”

Where have I seen him before? As well as starring alongside Cillian Murphy in Netflix drama Steve, Fouracres has also lent his vocal talents to Channel 4’s Don’t Hug Me I’m Scared and trod the boards at Shakespeare’s Globe in a production of Hamlet. 

His comedy heroes: Martin Short, Roberto Benigni and Steve Carell.

Fouracres says: “I’ve been in love with Saturday Night Live since forever. It was my dream job when I was younger and I love the glamour of late night TV. So the fact I get to be a part of it blows my tiny mind.”

Where have I seen her before? Magliano has already made a name for herself on the comedy circuit, having appeared on Taskmaster and Live At The Apollo, performed sold out tours, filmed a stand-up special and taken shows to Edinburgh Fringe festival.

Her comedy heroes: Ross from Friends.

Magliano says: “It’s through stand-up that I’ve really found my voice. The chance to work collaboratively was a huge draw for me and being part of SNL UK is just incredibly cool.”

Where have I seen her before? The theatre actor originated the role of Katherine Howard in Six The Musical before it hit the West End, and Marlow’s one person show ...is this okay?? sold out its entire run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Her comedy heroes: Kristen Wiig.

Marlow says: “I’m a huge fan of the show. I actually have an old fan account from 2016 I used to run on social media that was dedicated to being obsessed with Saturday Night Live.”

Where have I seen him before? While he’s busy not being an “Instagram heartthrob”, the actor, comedian and writer’s online sketches have amassed over 100 million views across social media. He’s also appeared on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.

His comedy heroes: John Candy.

Nash says: “I started the comedy society at the University of Sussex and as someone who is sketch comedy-obsessed, I’m just so happy to be part of the cast.” 

Where have I seen him before? Shep has made a name for himself on the stand-up scene with appearances at comedy night Wanting To Be Cool, Having To Be Funny, and he’s also appeared in TV favourites including Changing Ends, One Day and Big Boys. 

His comedy heroes: Tim Robinson and Patti Harrison.

Shep says: “It’s just a completely unique show. Being able to be in a room full of comedians being stupid and funny like this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Where have I seen her before? Sidi is a triple threat in the comedy world, having toured nationwide, appeared on panel shows including Taskmaster, and acted alongside her former flatmate Rose Matafeo in the BBC comedy Starstruck.

Her comedy heroes: Maria Bamford, Victoria Wood, French & Saunders and the cast of Seinfeld.

Sidi says: “My favourite comedies to watch growing up were all those pioneering shows from the alt-comedy scene. SNL is a huge opportunity to get that kind of comedy back on TV and online.”

Where have I seen him before? Young burst onto screens as bad boy Jebediah in Simon Bird’s Everyone Else Burns, and since then he’s tested his comedy chops alongside David Mitchell and Robert Webb in their sketch show Mitchell And Webb Are Not Helping.

His comedy heroes: Vic & Bob, Norm Macdonald and Viz.

Young says: “It feels like the most exciting thing that’s happened in comedy in this country for a long time. The scale of it is quackers! Eleven in the cast, 18 writers… and the catering is world class.”

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