SNL UK producer praises “special line-up” and teases show’s tone: “We’re sweating Britishness”

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Saturday Night Live is coming to the UK! The first episode, airing this weekend, will be hosted by the hilarious Tina Fey.

The comedian is famous for her influential time as a head writer and performer on the American version of the show. While an American hosted the original British version, the show still features a lot of talented British comedians.

The new sketch comedy show recently revealed its first group of performers, featuring well-known comedians from programs like Taskmaster, Big Boys, and Black Ops. Producer James Longman believes viewers will really enjoy the talented cast.

You know, what really struck me about this project is how distinctly British it is. It’s not trying to be anything else, and I love that. The team behind it is incredibly diverse and brings a really fresh perspective. And the writers? They’re hilarious! Everyone involved is really leaning into what makes British comedy special – it feels authentic and wonderfully quirky.

This Saturday, Fey will share hosting duties with Wet Leg. Later in March, actor Jamie Dornan will host on the 28th with the band Wolf Alice, who have won a BRIT Award. Then, on April 4th, Academy Award winner Riz Ahmed will present alongside the rock band Kasabian.

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With just a few hosts and performers announced, people are already wondering who else will be appearing on the new British version of Saturday Night Live.

I was really hoping they’d consider Madonna as a host and performer, but Longman told TopMob they already have their first three shows planned and are thrilled with the artists they’ve secured. It sounds like they’re really happy with how things are shaping up!

“It’s a really special line-up and hopefully it’ll make some people laugh on Saturday night.”

As a big fan of the original SNL, I’m excited to hear that SNL UK will really capture that live feel! Each episode will be performed in front of a live audience, just like the show I love. We can expect all the classic bits – a monologue to kick things off, sketches based on what’s happening right now, live music performances, and of course, a British spin on ‘Weekend Update’ – that hilarious news satire segment. It sounds like they’re aiming for a very similar format, which is fantastic!

Phil Edgar-Jones, from Sky, explained that everyone could use a good laugh right now, and they’re thrilled to finally bring the iconic American show, Saturday Night Live, to the UK – half a century after it began in the US.

This show has a fantastic history of finding and developing incredible comedic performers, and the UK version will continue that tradition. With the help of Lorne Michaels and a talented local team, we’re excited to showcase a fresh wave of funny new voices. Saturday nights are set to be full of laughs!

The UK version of Saturday Night Live premieres on Sky One and NOW on Saturday, March 21st at 10 PM. If you want to watch, you can find information on how to subscribe to Sky TV.

Don’t miss Saturday Night Live UK! Add it to your watchlist using the TopMob: What to Watch app. Download the app now for daily TV recommendations and exclusive content.

Authors

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah writes about entertainment for TopMob, covering everything from popular TV shows and reality TV to important documentaries. Before joining TopMob, she worked at The Tab, where she focused on reality television and celebrity news. She has a degree in Journalism.

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2026-03-19 18:42