‘Saturday Night Live UK’ Set for 2026 Premiere on Sky Max and NOW
Iconic live comedy format from the U.S. is being adapted for British screens with local talent and production in London
A British edition of the legendary live sketch comedy programme Saturday Night Live is scheduled to debut in the United Kingdom and Ireland in 2026, bringing the iconic format to Sky Max and the streaming service NOW.
The new series, titled Saturday Night Live UK, will be produced in London and maintain the fast-paced live structure that has defined the original American show for nearly five decades.
It marks the first time the franchise, which has been a fixture of American television since 1975 and a launchpad for countless comedy stars, will be locally adapted for UK audiences.
Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, who has overseen the U.S. version since its inception, will serve as executive producer for the British edition alongside his ongoing responsibilities on the original programme.
The London-based production will be handled by Broadway Video in partnership with Universal Television Alternative Studio’s UK team, with early creative leadership roles—including head writer and director—already filled as preparations intensify ahead of the launch.
Producers and network executives have indicated that the show will feature a rotating roster of celebrity hosts, musical guests, and a core ensemble of British comedians, blending the format’s classic elements with local comedic sensibilities.
Sky’s commissioning of Saturday Night Live UK reflects growing investment in homegrown entertainment and the internationalisation of established television brands as broadcasters seek to capture diverse audiences.
While a precise premiere date has yet to be formally confirmed by the network, industry sources and production insiders suggest a March 2026 launch, with further details on cast and programming expected in early 2026. The adaptation aims not only to bring the energy and satire of the original to British screens but also to foster new talent and entertain audiences with a distinctly British flavour of live comedy.
The new series, titled Saturday Night Live UK, will be produced in London and maintain the fast-paced live structure that has defined the original American show for nearly five decades.
It marks the first time the franchise, which has been a fixture of American television since 1975 and a launchpad for countless comedy stars, will be locally adapted for UK audiences.
Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, who has overseen the U.S. version since its inception, will serve as executive producer for the British edition alongside his ongoing responsibilities on the original programme.
The London-based production will be handled by Broadway Video in partnership with Universal Television Alternative Studio’s UK team, with early creative leadership roles—including head writer and director—already filled as preparations intensify ahead of the launch.
Producers and network executives have indicated that the show will feature a rotating roster of celebrity hosts, musical guests, and a core ensemble of British comedians, blending the format’s classic elements with local comedic sensibilities.
Sky’s commissioning of Saturday Night Live UK reflects growing investment in homegrown entertainment and the internationalisation of established television brands as broadcasters seek to capture diverse audiences.
While a precise premiere date has yet to be formally confirmed by the network, industry sources and production insiders suggest a March 2026 launch, with further details on cast and programming expected in early 2026. The adaptation aims not only to bring the energy and satire of the original to British screens but also to foster new talent and entertain audiences with a distinctly British flavour of live comedy.
