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Sky Network has officially confirmed that a UK version of the legendary American comedy sketch show Saturday Night Live (SNL) is in the works. According to Deadline, the green light has been given, and the iconic show is about to get a British twist.
This will be the biggest international version of SNL to date, following earlier adaptations in countries like China, Germany, Italy, and South Korea. While we don’t yet know who will be starring in the UK edition, the cast is expected to include some of the UK’s top comedic talent — so, expectations are high.
SNL’s original creator, Lorne Michaels, isn’t stepping back either. He’ll be closely involved as executive producer, working alongside his teams at Broadway Video and Universal Television’s UK production arm. It seems this new venture will follow the same creative blueprint that’s made the U.S. version such a cultural staple.
Cécile Frot-Coutaz, Sky Studios CEO and Chief Content Officer, shared her excitement in a statement to Deadline. She called Saturday Night Live a one-of-a-kind show that’s shaped pop culture for over five decades. She also emphasized that the UK edition will be created under the watchful, comedic eye of Michaels himself. With a legacy of launching the careers of comedy and music legends, Sky hopes the British version will do the same across the pond.
This news comes not long after SNL hit a massive milestone: 50 seasons. To celebrate, the original show pulled out all the stops with a star-studded lineup including Pedro Pascal, Kim Kardashian, Scarlett Johansson, Paul McCartney, Miley Cyrus, and many more.
While SNL is well-known among British comedy fans, it hasn’t historically had a huge presence in the UK. But with Sky behind it and a UK-focused format, that could be about to change. And with British humor having its own unique flavor, the idea of a whole sketch show dedicated to it? Sounds like a recipe for comedy gold.