Saturday Night Live UK ends first season with stronger sketches and renewal

Saturday Night Live UK wrapped its first season after eight weeks, and many viewers who were doubtful at the start now say the show made them laugh.

The series featured guest hosts including Hannah Waddingham, Jamie Dornan, Aimee Lou Wood and Ncuti Gatwa, who hosted the final episode. That show stood out for the strength of its sketches and included appearances by Louis Theroux, Martin Lewis and Mr Blobby.

A political cold open featured cast members as Sir Keir Starmer, Wes Streeting, Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner and Liz Truss. The Weekend Update segment also drew attention.

The cast of 11 comedians, Annabel Marlow, Ayode Bamgboye, Hammed Animashaun, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young, developed their own styles over the run. TV critic Natalie Jamieson praised moments such as a Traitors spoof with a man dressed as a giant crab.

Content from the show reached 86 million views across official accounts in its first month. Sky unscripted boss Phil Edgar Jones said the network was thrilled with the response and announced a second season of 12 episodes to air between autumn 2026 and early 2027.

Executive producer Lorne Michaels said he was incredibly proud of the UK version and that it keeps getting better every week.

Jamieson highlighted sketches such as Jamie Dornan’s rugby bit and the crab spoof. She also noted the work of writers including Charlie Skelton, Louis Waymouth and Bella Hull.

Fan Olivia Goldsbury, 19, said she prefers the British version to the US show and singled out George Fouracres for his Keir Starmer impression. Another viewer, Cal Clayton, 20, praised the choice of hosts and said Weekend Update had been consistently strong.

Jamieson said the show was at its best when it took risks with unexpected themes. She hopes series two will feature more of that approach.

Live viewing figures were modest, with Tina Fey’s opening episode drawing 226,000 viewers on Sky One. Numbers at least doubled once repeats and on-demand viewing were added. Not every sketch was posted online, so a Sky or Now subscription is required for the full set.

Jamieson said she would like to see actors such as Jodie Comer and Leo Woodall host next season. Goldsbury hopes Bob Mortimer will appear, and Clayton wants Dan Stevens.