| Saturday Night Live UK | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | SNL UK |
| Genre | |
| Created by | Lorne Michaels |
| Directed by | Liz Clare |
| Starring |
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| Country of origin | United Kingdom |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 |
| Production | |
| Executive producer | Lorne Michaels |
| Production locations | TC1, Television Centre, London |
| Production companies | |
| Original release | |
| Network | Sky One |
| Related | |
Saturday Night Live UK (SNL UK) is an upcoming live sketch comedy variety show that is based on the US version of the same name and is scheduled to premiere on Sky One on 21 March 2026. Featuring an ensemble cast of sketch comedy performers, musical performances, and a special celebrity guest each week, it is created and executive produced by Lorne Michaels - who also created and executive produces the American version.
The full cast was confirmed on 4 February 2026. [1]
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Sky, which has broadcast the original American Saturday Night Live since 2020 on linear channel Sky Comedy, was understood to be engaging in the "early stages of development" of a British version in December 2021. At the time, representatives from Saturday Night Live were "understood to be in London discussing the deal with Sky" (like NBC, also owned by Comcast), with comedians reportedly "lining up to be involved". [2] There was no further information about this mooted iteration until April 2025, when it was confirmed Lorne Michaels would executive produce the iteration, to air on Sky Max and NOW at an undetermined date in 2026. [3] [4] A six-episode order was confirmed in May 2025, with the possibility of an extension depending on the popularity of the first run of episodes. [5] Sky have confirmed that the programme is "[w]ritten, rehearsed and performed in the week of each show", and "every episode is staged in front of a live studio audience and features an opening monologue, topical sketches, live music, and a UK take on SNL's iconic news satire, Weekend Update ." [1] The programme will be filmed at Television Centre, London, in studio TC1. [6]
Saturday Night Live UK was created by Lorne Michaels, who also serves as executive producer; the programme is a production of Broadway Video in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio's UK production team. The programme was commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones (executive director of unscripted originals at Sky) and Lisa Clark (commissioning executive at Sky) for Cecile Frot-Coutaz (CEO of Sky Studios, and Chief Content Officer for Sky). James Longman is lead producer, with Liz Clare as director and Daran Jonno Johnson as head writer. [1] Several of these key figures visited the studios of the American version in November 2025. [7] Edgar-Jones iterated that this British adaptation held at its centre an aim to emphasise a British identity, rather than be dominated by influences from the American version; speaking at the Edinburgh TV Festival in August 2025, he stated that "the American team have come over, to give structural advice, but they're very mindful this has to be a very British thing". Members of the "SNL UK team [were] scouting the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and talent showcases in London in search of cast members for the show" throughout summer 2025. [8] A casting call for the programme "revealed that the show is also operating within the same ethos as the US version, with an eye to fresh faces rather than 'super established' talent, plus political comedians that are presumably intended for a UK version of Weekend Update", with individuals interested in becoming cast members "were asked to submit a self-tape featuring characters, impressions, and other material" by 9 May 2025. [9] Edgar-Jones claimed casting was 'well underway' in December 2025. [10]
The cast and launch date for the series were confirmed on 4 February 2026. [1] It was then revealed that members of the cast had visited the studios of the American version in the prior week, during production of its thousandth episode. [11] The writers' room will be staffed by eighteen writers. [1] Furthermore, Pauli Lovejoy serves as the musical director, Annie Hardinge as costume designer, and Kevin Fortune as the head of wigs, hair, and make-up. [12]
The first six-episode series is scheduled to premiere on Sky One on 21 March 2026, and be available on streaming service NOW. [1]
Shortly after the UK premiere date was announced, it was confirmed that the Canadian streaming service Crave had acquired the series. [13]