Live television entertainment may have become a rarity outside of major events, but a major new arrival is set to shake up the landscape. Saturday Night Live UK is preparing to make its debut, bringing the long-running American format to British audiences for the first time.
The original show, created by Lorne Michaels, has been on air in the United States for more than five decades. Now, a UK version will feature a cast of 11 comedians aged between 26 and 36, supported by a team of 20 writers, delivering weekly broadcasts from Television Centre’s TC1 studio in west London.
Unlike most modern entertainment programmes, the show will be performed entirely live. There is no autocue, with performers relying instead on traditional cue cards—an approach that adds both pressure and unpredictability to the production.
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The programme’s commitment to live performance is central to its appeal. Scripts are continually revised right up until broadcast, with material tested during a dress rehearsal just hours before going on air. Segments that fail to land with audiences can be dropped at the last minute, requiring performers to adapt quickly.
Comedian Celeste Dring believes this unpredictability is part of the charm. “I hope so, and I think also to be honest to communicate what the actual show is, which is a live show,” she says.
“We as a country, we’re not used to watching live stuff any more. So, in a way, if the odd thing doesn’t go wrong when you’re consuming it, you might not necessarily be cognisant of the fact that it is live. In a way, mistakes are useful to communicate what it is.”
Fellow cast member Al Nash highlights the fast-paced nature of the production. “When I’m doing it, I don’t feel like I’m a star… It’s kind of ramshackle… You don’t have a chance to think, ‘Do I look good right now?’ It’s just like, get it done, get it over the line.”
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With such a demanding format, the cast acknowledge the balance between creativity and responsibility. Dring explains: “I think it’s just following what you find funny, doing due diligence in terms of being considered, not being reckless or careless, but really just following what you think is funny.”
She adds: “And we’ve signed a fun contract.”
Nash jokes about the stakes: “If we dip below a certain amount of fun, there are multiple electrodes on our bodies, and they shock us. If you ever see me on set, go [mimes being electrocuted] then you know that’s my own fault”.
Dring responds with a smile: “And for me that’s fun.”
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The cast have also addressed speculation about political sketches, particularly comparisons to the US version’s focus on American politics. When asked about portraying Keir Starmer, the comedians suggest casting decisions will emerge naturally.
“People don’t have similar casting, so it just kind of comes naturally,” says Dring.
“And if my Starmer is like a six out of 10…” Nash begins, before Dring interjects, “Starmer’s Starmer is a six out of 10…”
“All right,” Nash replies, laughing. “Well, it will just defer to the best person who can do it because I think collectively we want the show to just be as good as it can be.”
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Despite scepticism from some quarters about whether a live late-night comedy show can succeed in the UK, the cast remain confident. “I have a certain amount of affection for the pessimism of the British public, I kind of respect it,” says Dring. “I feel all right about that, and we’ll do our darnedest.”
Nash is more direct: “The idea that it’s going to be a bit naff, it’s just insane to me, because we’re in charge, and we’re going to make it good.”
Saturday Night Live UK premieres on Sky and Now on 21 March, hosted by Tina Fey, with music from Wet Leg. The show will stream in the United States on Peacock the following day.
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