New version of Saturday Night Live with a completely different cast is almost here – all the details

The traditional SNL formula of a celebrity guest hosting the show and appearing in sketches, as well as the addition of a musical guest, will carry over to the UK version. 

Each episode will be staged in front of a live studio audience and will feature an opening monologue, as well as the UK’s take on world events and pop culture.

Legendary SNL creator and producer Lorne Michaels will executive produce the show, alongside James Longman as lead producer and Liz Clare as director.

Executive director of unscripted originals at Sky, Phil Edgar-Jones, shared a statement on the show’s launch.

“We all need a laugh like never before, so we’re beyond excited to bring Saturday Night Live to the UK, only 50 short years after it first launched in the US,” he said.

“The show’s long-standing legacy of discovering and nurturing outstanding comedy talent speaks for itself, and this UK version will build on that legacy with the support of Lorne Michaels, a brilliant local production team, and an exciting new generation of voices. Saturday nights are looking bright!”

The cast of SNL UK includes Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young.

Jonno Johnson is the show’s head writer, with others like Celya AB, Omar Badawy, Gráinne Maguire, Laura Claxton, Chris Cantrill, James Farmer, Humphrey Ker, Omodara Olatunji, Joseph Moore, Lorna Rose Treen, Hari Kanth, Louis Waymouth, Keith Akushie, Bella Hull, Ayo Adenekan, Nathan Foad, Al Roberts and Ellie Fulcher joining him.

“The UK is absolutely packed with incredible comedy talent right now, and this cast represents the freshest voices we have,” said producer James Longman in a statement.

“They’re bold, exciting, and of course, incredibly funny. The chemistry between them is something special, and we can’t wait to share this funny group of people with the world.”

NBCUniversal Entertainment’s chief business officer, Liz Jenkins, also weighed in on the news. “Saturday Night Live is one of the most influential comedy brands in the world, and bringing the UK edition to Peacock is a natural extension of that legacy,” she said. “As the streaming home of SNL, Peacock is proud to introduce bold new British voices to a global stage.”