A brand-new version ofSaturday Night Liveis coming to the UK soon. The long-running sketch comedy and variety show, which features an ever-changing ensemble cast supporting a series of celebrity hosts and musical guests, was created by Lorne Michaels in 1975 and is currently airing its historic 50th season. Some of the most iconicSaturday Night Livecastmembers include Gilda Radner, Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Chevy Chase, Tina Fey, Eddie Murphy, Will Ferrell, Kate McKinnon, Kristen Wiig, Maya Rudolph, Amy Poehler, Kenan Thompson (who is the longest-running cast member with 22 seasons so far), and many more.
PerSky News,Lorne Michaels will be overseeing a UK spin-off ofSaturday Night Live. The “all-British” show, which is currently being calledSaturday Night Live UK, is set to premiere on Sky Max and the NOW streaming service in 2026. News about the ensemble cast and guest hosts will come at a later date. Michael’s Broadway Video and the UK’s Universal Television Alternative Studio are behind the project. Below, read a comment on the development from Cecile Frot-Coutaz, who is the chief executive of Sky Studios as well as Sky’s chief content officer:
For 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 - all live from London on Saturday night.
What This Means For Saturday Night Live
Lorne Michaels Could Have Another Long-Running Hit On His Hands
SNL UKis the latest installment in a long-running series of spinoffsthat is connected to the flagship series. Generally, this has involved various popular sketch characters being spun off into their ownSaturday Night Livemovies, including John Belushi’s “Joliet” Jake Blues and Dan Aykroyd’s Elwood J. Blues in 1980’sThe Blues Brothers, Mike Myers' Wayne Campbell and Dana Carvey’s Garth Algar in 1992’sWayne’s World, Molly Shannon’s Mary Katherine Gallagher in 1999’sSuperstar, and Tim Meadows' Leon Phelps in 2000’sThe Ladies Man.
The Library of Congress preservedThe Blues Brothersas part of the United States National Film Registry in 2020.
The behind-the-scenes story of the first episode of the show was also recently captured in the2024 biographical dramedySaturday Night. Additionally,more than a dozen international versions ofSNLhave been launchedover the years, in regions including Brazil, Canada, France, Japan, and Russia. Many were short-lived, with the longest-running beingSaturday Night Live Korea, which ran from 2011 to 2017 before being rebooted in 2021. However, the fate of the UK series could prove to be entirely different due to the direct involvement of Lorne Michaels.
Our Take On The Saturday Night Live UK Show
Its Reception Is Questionable
Ultimately, it remains to be seen how the UK version ofSaturday Night Livewill bereceived. It could prove to be a hit, asthe region has a long history of successful sketch comedy shows, includingA Bit of Fry & Laurie,Little Britain, and the iconicMonty Python’s Flying Circus, which could mean that UK audiences will be receptive to the project. However, that same tradition may lead those audiences to rejectSNL UK, as they could potentially see it as a watered-down American product in spite of the UK-based talent that will be in the cast.
Saturday Night Live
Cast
Saturday Night Live is a live television sketch comedy and variety show created by Lorne Michaels, premiering in 1975. It features comedy sketches parodying contemporary culture and politics, performed by a rotating cast. Each episode is hosted by a celebrity guest and includes musical performances.
