Saturday Night Live is making its British debut this weekend, with the iconic American sketch comedy format arriving on Sky One at 10pm on Saturday evening.
Former SNL star Tina Fey will take on hosting duties for the premiere, marking a significant moment as the long-running NBC programme expands across the Atlantic for the first time.
Sky has commissioned six episodes of the new series, which the broadcaster has described as “a major investment in the UK comedy ecosystem.”
Original SNL creator Lorne Michaels has been closely involved with the British adaptation, spending time in the UK recently to assist with the writers’ room as the team prepares to bring the format to a new audience.
The hit US series is coming to the UK
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James Longman, the show’s lead producer and former executive producer of The Late Late Show with James Corden, believes the timing couldn’t be better for this kind of comedy programme.
“It’s a perfect time for this kind of show. The world is rough out there at the moment, so it’s a really good time to laugh,” Longman told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme earlier this week.
He confirmed that political and social satire would feature in the show’s content, noting there is plenty of material to work with.
“There’s so many things to be funny about, and so it’s just finding the right angle for us. The key for us is to be funny,” he added.
The American host is set to come to the UK to kick start the series
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Cast member Ayoade Bamgboye praised the creative environment, describing the collaboration between performers and writers as “alchemy at its finest.”
The 11 performers who secured spots on the show emerged from a demanding selection process spanning multiple stages.
Longman explained at a Sky event in London that candidates first submitted five-minute audition tapes before progressing to live showcases.
Those who advanced then faced a “silent” studio audition, followed by a final five-minute filmed performance without any laughter track to guide them.”
Ayoade Bamgboye will appear as a guest on the show
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These guys stood up and stood out,” Longman said of the successful applicants.
The cast comprises Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young.
At the London showcase, it was revealed that Magliano and Young will be paired together for a key sketch in the opening episode.
Following Fey’s debut, Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan will step into the host’s chair for the second episode on March 28, with Riz Ahmed taking over presenting duties on April 2.
The actor will soon take over from Ms Fey and her hosting duties on March 28
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The production brings together Universal Television Alternative Studio’s UK team and Mr Michaels’ Broadway Video company, with Mr Michaels serving as executive producer.
Longman described the approach as borrowing from the American original while creating something distinctly British: “We’ve borrowed the US house, only we’re making our own rooms within it.”
The actress has been on the US version on a number of occasions
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Daran Jonno Johnson leads the writing team, with Liz Clare directing the series.
American viewers will be able to watch episodes on Peacock the day after each UK broadcast on Sky One.
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