Get ready for an exciting new chapter in British comedy as Saturday Night Live makes its way across the pond! The anticipation has been building for nearly a year as we learned that a British version of this iconic show would soon be developed, spearheaded by none other than Lorne Michaels himself. This venture continues a long-standing trend where various countries have attempted to adapt SNL, often with limited success. Out of 14 nations that have tried, only a select few—like Egypt, Germany, and Italy—managed to produce multiple seasons, while South Korea is the only one currently broadcasting its own version.
However, there’s something intriguing about this endeavor: the vast landscape of existing British sketch comedy could make SNL less distinctive than it is in the U.S., where its rare presence on network television is a huge part of its allure. Nonetheless, a compelling question arises at the core of this initiative—who are the British comedians that will bring this fresh take on Saturday Night Live to life? Sky TV has now officially unveiled the cast, setting the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating show!
Instead of merely listing the impressive credentials of the newly announced ensemble—Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi, and Paddy Young—we thought it would be more engaging to showcase clips of these talented individuals in action. Additionally, because we can’t resist a good reference, we’ve noted which of them participated in a season of the popular show Taskmaster; that distinction belongs to Ania Magliano and Emma Sidi.
Let's dive into their performances! First up is Hammed Animashaun, who some American viewers might recognize from his role as Loial in the Prime Video adaptation of Wheel Of Time. Check out this clip from his recent U.K. comedy series Black Ops:
Next on our list is Ayoade Bamgboye, who recently won the Best Newcomer award at the Edinburgh Festival in 2025. Here he shines in a sketch from Channel 4’s Comedy Playground:
Following him is Scottish stand-up comedian Larry Dean, bringing his unique flair to the mix:
We also have Celeste Dring, who forms half of the comedic duo Lazy Susan, showcasing her comedic chops:
Then, meet George Fouracres, a stand-up comic known for being part of the trio that makes up the comedy group Daphne:
Ania Magliano takes the stage next, a multi-talented stand-up and writer who has made her mark on Taskmaster:
Don’t miss Annabel Marlow, a well-known musical comedian making waves in the scene:
Al Nash is next, recognized for his online comedy sketches that have garnered attention:
Jack Shep has also made some appearances on television, but he primarily shines on TikTok—his videos are definitely worth a watch (note: apologies for the lack of embedding):
Emma Sidi follows, a versatile comedian who focuses heavily on character work and, yes, she is also a former Taskmaster contestant:
Lastly, we have Paddy Young, a stand-up who made it to the finals of the BBC New Comedy Award in 2023:
According to Variety, Saturday Night Live U.K. is set to premiere on March 21. The format will closely mirror the NBC version, featuring celebrity hosts, musical guests, Weekend Update, and a variety of sketches.
Keep checking back for more updates and stories, as this new venture unfolds!
