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Saturday Night Live UK Completes Eight-Week Run on Sky

The British version of the sketch show finished its first season with an episode hosted by Ncuti Gatwa. Viewers and critics gave mixed but mostly positive responses to the sketches and cast performances.

BBC News
1 source·May 17, 10:29 AM(12 days ago)·1m read
Saturday Night Live UK Completes Eight-Week Run on Skynewrepublic.com
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Saturday Night Live UK ended its eight-week run on Sky with a final episode hosted by Ncuti Gatwa. The series featured guest hosts including Hannah Waddingham, Jamie Dornan and Aimee Lou Wood. The final broadcast included sketches on British icons such as Louis Theroux, Martin Lewis and Mr Blobby.

A political cold open featured impressions of Sir Keir Starmer, Wes Streeting, Andy Burnham, Angela Rayner and Liz Truss.

The cast of 11 comedians includes Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young. Each performer was given space to develop individual styles of comedy.

TV critic Natalie Jamieson said the show succeeded when it was "really unhinged," citing a Traitors spoof with a giant crab character. She noted the cast members brought different comedic approaches.

Sky's unscripted boss Phil Edgar Jones said the network was "thrilled" with the reception. He announced the show would return for a second series of 12 episodes between autumn 2026 and early 2027. " Content from the first month received 86 million views across official social media accounts.

U.S. original after watching for five years. She highlighted George Fouracres' impression of Keir Starmer as a standout element. Viewing figures for the opening episode reached 226,000 live viewers on Sky One. Figures at least doubled when repeats and on-demand viewing were included.

Key Facts

Eight-week run
First season of SNL UK completed on Sky
86 million views
Social media views in first month per Deadline analysis
12 new episodes
Second series scheduled for autumn 2026 to early 2027
226,000 viewers
Live audience for Tina Fey opening episode on Sky One

Story Timeline

4 events
  1. Eight weeks ago

    Saturday Night Live UK premiered on Sky with Tina Fey as host.

    1 sourceBBC News
  2. Recent weeks

    Episodes featured guest hosts including Hannah Waddingham, Jamie Dornan and Aimee Lou Wood.

    1 sourceBBC News
  3. This week

    Final episode aired with Ncuti Gatwa as host and included political sketches.

    1 sourceBBC News
  4. Last week

    Sky announced renewal for a second series of 12 episodes in 2026-2027.

    1 sourceBBC News

Potential Impact

  1. 01

    Sky will produce 12 additional episodes between autumn 2026 and early 2027.

  2. 02

    New guest hosts may be selected for the second series.

  3. 03

    Social media clips may continue to reach audiences without full Sky subscription.

Transparency Panel

Sources cross-referenced1
Confidence score65%
Synthesized bySubstrate AI
Word count239 words
PublishedMay 17, 2026, 10:29 AM
Bias signals removed2 across 1 outlet
Signal Breakdown
Loaded 1Amplifying 1

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