Saturday Night Live UK Cast Unveiled Ahead of Sky Series Launch
Sky has officially announced the comedians who will star in the first UK incarnation of the iconic American late-night show, Saturday Night Live. The series is set to launch next month, bringing a fresh British twist to the pop culture institution that has launched careers for decades.
A New Generation of British Comedy Talent
The cast of 11 comedians represents a diverse and exciting mix of rising stars from the UK comedy scene. Notable names include:
- Ania Magliano and Emma Sidi, both known for their appearances on the popular show Taskmaster.
- Hammed Animashaun, star of the comedy series Black Ops.
- Ayoade Bamgboye, who was awarded best newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards last year.
- Larry Dean, a comedian who has performed on Live At The Apollo.
- Celeste Dring, with credits including This Country and Lazy Susan.
Rounding out the line-up are Paddy Young from Everyone Else Burns and Mitchell & Webb Are Not Helping, social media personality Al Nash, and George Fouracres, Jack Shep, and Annabel Marlow. The group is being billed as the "new generation" of British comedians, poised to make their mark on this historic format.
Bringing an American Institution to British Screens
Saturday Night Live, broadcast on NBC in the US, is a cornerstone of American pop culture that has been running for 50 years. It has launched the careers of legendary stars such as Bill Murray, Tina Fey, Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson, Kristen Wiig, and Will Ferrell. The UK version aims to replicate this success by discovering and nurturing homegrown talent.
The show will be overseen by US producer Lorne Michaels, ensuring it stays true to the original's spirit while adapting for a British audience. Each episode will be written, rehearsed, and performed within a week, featuring a live studio audience, an opening monologue, topical sketches, live music, and a UK take on the famous news satire segment, Weekend Update.
Excitement and Anticipation from the Cast
Cast members have expressed their enthusiasm for joining the show. Larry Dean cited his love for sketch comedy and admiration for SNL alumni like Jim Carrey and Richard Pryor as key reasons for his involvement. George Fouracres shared that he often watched clips of the US show and wondered why the UK didn't have something similar, calling the opportunity to be part of it mind-blowing.
Lead producer James Longman praised the cast, describing them as "the freshest voices we have" and highlighting their bold, exciting, and incredibly funny qualities. The creative team, including James Longman, Liz Clare, and Daran Jonno Johnson, was announced in November, with writers set to be revealed soon.
Why Now Is the Right Time for SNL UK
Phil Edgar Jones, executive director for unscripted originals at Sky, emphasised that the timing is perfect for the show, stating, "we all need a laugh like never before." He highlighted the show's legacy in discovering comedy talent and expressed confidence that this UK version will build on that with support from Lorne Michaels and a brilliant local production team.
The series will feature a different guest host each week, following the US model where recent hosts have included stars like Sabrina Carpenter, Ariana Grande, and Bad Bunny. Saturday Night Live UK is scheduled to broadcast on Sky and the streaming service NOW starting from 21 March, offering viewers a weekly dose of live comedy and satire.
