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Saturday Night Live<\/em> is launching a British edition on March 21, airing live from London on Sky One with Tina Fey<\/strong> as its first host. For U.S. viewers, Peacock will carry episodes with next-day availability. The show marks the 14th international attempt to adapt the SNL format \u2014 and only one previous version, in South Korea, is still on the air.<\/span><\/p>\n SNL UK follows the same structure as the American original: an opening monologue, topical sketches, a live musical act, and the satirical news segment Weekend Update. Episodes will run 75 minutes, trimmed from the 90-minute runtime of the U.S. show. Lorne Michaels<\/strong> is executive producing.<\/span><\/p>\n In the UK, the series airs at 10 p.m. local time on Sky One and the streaming service Now. In the U.S., episodes land on Peacock the next day, meaning American audiences can watch each episode on Sunday without needing a UK subscription.<\/span><\/p>\n Sky TV confirmed Monday that the first three hosts and musical guests are set. Fey takes the debut episode on March 21, paired with English band Wet Leg. Jamie Dornan<\/strong> follows on March 28 with Wolf Alice. Riz Ahmed<\/strong> rounds out the announced slate on April 4 with Kasabian.<\/span><\/p>\n Fey\u2019s selection for the premiere carries weight. She joined SNL<\/em> as a writer in 1997, became the show\u2019s first female head writer in 1999, joined the cast in 2000, and remained until leaving to create and star in 30 Rock<\/em> in 2006. She has hosted SNL six times. Choosing her to open the UK edition signals that Michaels wanted institutional credibility for the launch, not just a famous face.<\/span><\/p>\n Variety<\/span><\/a><\/em> reported that Michaels and SNL alum Seth Meyers<\/strong> have recently been in London observing table reads as the cast and writers prepare for the premiere. That level of direct involvement from the original show\u2019s leadership is unusual for an international spinoff.<\/span><\/p>\n James Longman<\/strong> is lead producer. Liz Clare<\/strong> directs. Daran Jonno Johnson<\/strong> is head writer. The cast includes 11 performers: Hammed Animashaun<\/strong>, Ayoade Bamgboye<\/strong>, Larry Dean<\/strong>, Celeste Dring<\/strong>, George Fouracres<\/strong>, Ania Magliano<\/strong>, Annabel Marlow<\/strong>, Al Nash<\/strong>, Jack Shep<\/strong>, Emma Sidi<\/strong>\u00a0and Paddy Young<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n SNL UK<\/em> is the 14th international attempt to adapt the format, and only the South Korean version is currently still airing. Live sketch comedy is hard to transplant across cultures because its appeal depends on shared political references, comedic timing rooted in local humor, and the unpredictability of a live broadcast.<\/span><\/p>\n What separates this attempt: Michaels is directly executive producing rather than licensing the brand at arm\u2019s length, the format is unchanged rather than loosely inspired, and Sky \u2014 one of the UK\u2019s largest broadcasters \u2014 is backing it. When the show was first announced in April 2025, Cecile Frot-Coutaz<\/strong>, CEO of Sky Studios and Sky\u2019s Chief Content Officer for Sky, <\/span>said in a comment<\/span><\/a>: \u201cFor over 50 years Saturday Night Live has held a unique position in TV and in our collective culture, reflecting and creating the global conversation all under the masterful comedic guidance of Lorne Michaels. The show has discovered and nurtured countless comedy and musical talents over the years and we are thrilled to be partnering with Lorne and the SNL team to bring an all-British version of the show to UK audiences next year \u2013 all live from London on Saturday night!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\nThe Format and Where to Find It<\/b><\/h2>\n
The First Hosts and Musical Guests<\/b><\/h2>\n
Michaels and Meyers Are In London<\/b><\/h2>\n