Introduction to SNL UK
Walking into the Saturday Night Live UK studios for the first time, it is evident that significant time and financial resources have been invested to ensure the show's success.
A vibrant energy permeates every corridor, from the extensive costume and wig department to the large team assembling pop-up sets around the main stage.
The British adaptation of the US comedy sketch show, which has a cult following and has been on air for over 50 years, is set to launch on Saturday night.
The British cast of comedians and writers face the challenge of filling substantial shoes as they aim to create a successful transatlantic comedy venture.
Cast and Creative Direction
An early promotional teaser received mixed reactions online. However, during an exclusive tour of the London studios by , those involved expressed hope that viewers would approach the show with an open mind.
"We're not going out there saying, 'Let's make this show really British for British people'," SNL UK cast member Annabel Marlow told the BBC. "We're basically writing what we all find really funny."
"But also we all live here so naturally there's going to be references that people in the audience will understand."
Her co-star Ayoade Bamgboye stated that making sketches feel distinctly British has been her "North Star from the very beginning" and emphasized the supportive nature of the team.
Marlow, aged 24, has a background in musical comedy and previously starred in Six The Musical. Bamgboye, 31, is a stand-up comedian who won best newcomer at the 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Awards.
They are joined by nine other cast members from across the UK: Hammed Animashaun, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi, and Paddy Young.
The writing team includes Charlie Skelton, known for 8 Out of 10 Cats, actor and comedian Al Roberts from Stath Lets Flats, and Bella Hull from Have I Got News For You.
Collaboration with US Creators
Before rehearsals began, the group traveled to America to meet Lorne Michaels, the creator and executive producer of the US show, who is also overseeing the UK version.
"There is a blueprint and foundation that works so they haven't guarded that stuff," Bamgboye explained. "They've been so open with what works."
SNL's success in the US is supported by its heritage status, attracting high-profile stars as hosts, often due to their admiration for the show or respect for its longevity and awards.
This may present challenges for the UK version in securing hosts of similar fame, but the first three hosts—comedian and former SNL host Tina Fey, and actors Jamie Dornan and Riz Ahmed—are expected to draw viewers.
Fey has been collaborating with the cast for several weeks and has generously contributed her time, including reviewing sketches.
"We're not taking it for granted," Bamgboye said. "As female comedians, especially if you've been performing on stage, we just have to be so prepared and it's been glorious to watch her be so prepared even at this stage of her career."
Show Format and Audience Engagement
Lead producer Andy Charles Smith stated that SNL UK will follow the same structure as its US counterpart: two songs from a musical guest (this week featuring indie rock band Wet Leg), two pre-recorded sketches, and four live sketches.
One surprising factor in SNL's ongoing cultural relevance is its appeal to younger audiences, with US show clips averaging over 200 million views per episode across TikTok, X, and YouTube.
Several SNL UK cast members have increased their profiles via social media, but Bamgboye emphasized that sketches are not designed with virality in mind.
"It's funny first," she said.
"We're just doing it for laughs and if it works as a little clip that's a bonus - but we're not doing it to be Instagrammable," Marlow added.
Production Details and Live Performance
The eight-part series will be broadcast live each Saturday night in front of a studio audience on Sky.
An earlier dress rehearsal will be used to test material, and as with the US show, not all rehearsal content will appear in the live broadcast.
The cast will use cue cards to keep sketches on track, a departure from the typical use of teleprompters in the UK, allowing for swift last-minute changes.
Backstage, the cue card hub has been set up by Wally Feresten, a veteran with over 30 years of experience on SNL.
"Wally came over for three weeks to teach the whole team how to use cue cards," Marlow said. "We did loads of workshops on how to read them during a sketch and where your eye line should be."
Set Design and Live Show Challenges
Attention to detail extends to the set backdrop, designed to reflect the original New York design with added London elements.
Given the live nature of the show, errors are inevitable, but Marlow expressed confidence.
"Either the audience don't know and it's fun for us to be like, 'That went a bit wrong but we all caught it'. Or they do know and it makes everyone go 'Oh great, they're human' - and people like to see that on stage," she said.
Advice from Lorne Michaels
After more than 50 years in comedy, Michaels shared words of wisdom with the cast.
"Saturday rolls around and it comes, it goes and you shake it off - good or bad you're going to do another show," Bamgboye recalled him saying.
"He [advised us to] absolutely not engage with the discourse. Just keep cool."
