Sky and NOW have unveiled the full cast of comedians for the highly anticipated British debut of “Saturday Night Live,” set to launch next month. The 11-person group, which consists of both seasoned and award-winning performers, represents a new generation charged with bringing the classic American sketch genre to the UK.
Produced in partnership with the show’s US creator, Lorne Michaels, SNL UK will follow the classic live format: written and rehearsed in a single week, each episode will feature an opening monologue, topical sketches, live music, and a local version of the famed “Weekend Update” news satire.
Who Are the Comedians in the SNL UK Cast?
The cast of 11 draws from across the UK comedy scene, blending television experience with live stand-up and online fame. The lineup includes:
- Ayoade Bamgboye: Named Best Newcomer at the 2023 Edinburgh Comedy Awards.
- Ania Magliano & Emma Sidi: Both acclaimed stars of the panel show Taskmaster.
- Hammed Animashaun: Known for the BBC comedy Black Ops.
- Larry Dean: A stand-up who has performed on Live At The Apollo.
- Celeste Dring: Credits include This Country and Lazy Susan.
- Paddy Young: Seen in Everyone Else Burns.
- Al Nash: Described as an “Instagram heartthrob.”
- George Fouracres: From the sitcom Steve.
- Jack Shep: Star of Big Boys.
- Annabel Marlow: Performer from Six The Musical.
What Will SNL UK Look Like?
The UK incarnation will mirror the US show’s frantic production schedule and live studio audience. Each episode will be guest-hosted by a different celebrity, following the American model where recent hosts have included pop stars like Ariana Grande and actors like Josh O’Connor. Lead producer James Longman called the cast “the freshest voices we have” and “bold, exciting and of course, incredibly funny.”
Why Launch SNL in the UK Now?
The original SNL on NBC is a 50-year pop culture institution that launched the careers of stars from Bill Murray and Eddie Murphy to Tina Fey and Pete Davidson. Sky executives believe the time is right for a British version. “We all need a laugh like never before,” said Phil Edgar Jones, Sky’s executive director for unscripted originals. He stated the UK show will build on SNL’s legacy of “discovering and nurturing outstanding comedy talent.”
How Have Cast Members Reacted?
Cast members expressed excitement and reverence for the SNL legacy. Stand-up Larry Dean cited US SNL alumni like Jim Carrey and Richard Pryor as “my comedy heroes.” George Fouracres recalled watching clips and thinking, “I wish we had that. Why don’t we have something like that?” He added that being part of the new show “blows my tiny mind.”
