Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan and Riz Ahmed named as first hosts of Saturday Night Live UK

EntertainmentMusic
17 Mar 2026 • 4:06 AM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

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US comedian Tina Fey will host the first episode of the highly anticipated UK edition of Saturday Night Live (SNL).

Fifty Shades Of Grey actor Jamie Dornan and Four Lions star Riz Ahmed have also been unveiled as hosts of the following two shows.

Fey, 55, who previously served as head writer and a lead cast member on the US sketch show, will launch the series on March 21. Isle of Wight indie band Wet Leg is confirmed as the musical guest.

Northern Irish actor Dornan, 43, is scheduled to host on March 28, with Brit Award-winning rock band Wolf Alice performing.

Ahmed, also 43, will follow on April 4, featuring 2000s indie stalwarts Kasabian.

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SNL UK will be broadcast live from London every Saturday night at 10pm on Sky. Each 75-minute episode will feature a different host alongside the show’s inaugural cast.

The cast will be made up of Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young.

It comes after the writers for the show’s first-ever official UK edition were announced, including 8 Out of 10 Cats writer Charlie Skelton, who will serve as the head writer for the satirical news segment, The Weekend Update.

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He will be joined by Stath Lets Flats actor and comedian Al Roberts, Have I Got News For You’s Bella Hull and comedians Celya AB, Chris Cantrill, Grainne Maguire, Humphrey Ker and James Farmer.

The series’ head writer, Jonno Johnson, said: “The number of funny, talented writers we have got to work on SNL UK is ludicrous.

“Some of them have been doing this for years, some of them it’s their first ever writing job.

“All of them make me giddy to come to work each day. Could not imaginably feel luckier that we get to make this show together.”

The show’s US version has been running since 1975, and is responsible for launching the careers of the likes of Fey, Bill Murray and Eddie Murphy.

Saturday Night Live UK will launch on Sky and streaming service Now every Saturday from March 21, and will also be available on catch-up.