Saturday Night Live UK names its first three hosts

Saturday Night Live UK has finally named its first three hosts as Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan and Riz Ahmed.

The six-part Sky Original series will premiere on Sky and NOW next month - and so far the news has divided fans. 

The upcoming programme will be broadcast live every week and will bring 'the high-wire, anything-can-happen energy that makes SNL a cultural force, now reimagined through a distinctly British lens'. 

Tina will host the launch episode of SNL UK on March, 21, and will be joined by a chart-topping musical guest, Isle of Wight indie sensations Wet Leg.

On March, 28, critically acclaimed Northern Irish actor Jamie will be joined by the BRIT Award-winning band Wolf Alice. 

And on April, 4, Academy Award-winning British actor Riz will be joined by titans of rock Kasabian.

Live from London at 10pm every Saturday night, each 75-minute episode, will see a different host take to the stage alongside SNL UK’s inaugural cast. 

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

Although many are over the moon with the news and don't have long to wait until on March 21 2026, bookies Coral have revealed that there is an odds of 1-2 for it being scrapped after the first series.  

Coral's John Hill said: 'We are not optimistic about Saturday Night Live UK lasting very long. 

'We make it odds-on to be scrapped after just one series.'

Despite that, many have taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to share how excited they are about the show.  

'I genuinely thing SNL UK has the potential to actually be way better than the yank version.'

'wait snl uk sounds fire hello.'

'i’m excited for uk snl im not gonna lie.'

'I AM SOO SAT FOR THE UK SNL. I'M ON FREEZE MODE TILL MARCH.'

'actually so excited for snl uk.'

'UK SNL? FINALLLLLLYYYYY.'

'Saw a tweet about UK SNL but my timeline refreshed. maybe god IS real and looking out for me.'

'Omg uk SNL cast is SO GOOD.' 

Saturday Night Live, created by Lorne Michaels, is an American late-night sketch show that has aired on US channel NBC since 1975. 

There have been 1,000 episodes across 51 seasons.

Now, they have decided to create their own version in the UK. 

Viewers will be treated to a new guest host who will be joined by a chart-topping musical guest each week. 

Lead producer, James Longman, said of the upcoming series: 'The UK is absolutely packed with incredible comedy talent right now and this cast represents the freshest voices we have, 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.' 

Executive director of Unscripted Originals at Sky, Phil Edgar Jones OBE, added: '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. 

'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!'

Watch Saturday Night Live UK live on Sky and streaming service NOW every Saturday from March, 21, or catch-up on demand.