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Saturday Night Live UK is coming to town—and it's already causing quite a stir in the British comedy scene. The iconic American sketch show is getting a UK makeover, with Sky and Universal Television Alternative Studio teaming up to bring it to life. While it's not set to air until 2026, the buzz has already begun, and it looks like it isn't just another adaptation. It's shaping up to be a high-stakes project with some big names circling the helm.
Leading the chatter is James Longman, former executive producer of The Late Late Show with James Corden. Industry insiders say he's in talks to lead this new adaptation as the showrunner. While nothing's confirmed yet, and the Studio has refused to comment on anything, Longman is reportedly already looking at writers and cast members, pointing to some serious behind-the-scenes movement.
Here’s what we know so far about the team, the plan, and why this version of Saturday Night Live UK might be different.
Saturday Night Live UK taps James Longman to possibly lead production
James Longman is no stranger to late-night TV. He spent seven years as the executive producer of The Late Late Show With James Corden, helping it win an Emmy and make waves in the US and beyond. Now, he might be taking on an even bigger task—leading Saturday Night Live UK.
Known in the industry as "Longers," Longman has built a strong reputation for producing both US and UK comedy. His credits include Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was..., Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and Alan Carr: Chatty Man. If the deal goes through, Longman would manage the day-to-day operations of Saturday Night Live UK while SNL creator Lorne Michaels stays involved at a higher level.
Lorne Michaels brings the SNL playbook to Britain
Lorne Michaels, the mastermind behind the original Saturday Night Live, won’t be taking a backseat. His name will still be on the credits, and he’s expected to play a big part in mentoring the British writers. According to Deadline, Michaels is planning to run a few masterclasses in the coming months.
The goal is to teach the new team how SNL really works—and that includes bringing in American writers to collaborate with UK talent.
“Every comedy name and writer in the UK has already been approached about this,” a source told Deadline.
That makes sense. Saturday Night Live UK isn’t just a rebrand. It’s a complete setup designed to keep the essence of the original while adapting it to British humour.
Suzi Aplin to take on key production role
It’s not just Longman who’s being tapped for the show. Suzi Aplin, a seasoned producer in British comedy entertainment, is also expected to join the team in a senior production role. Her background includes work on TFI Friday, Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush, and Comic Relief.
Aplin recently produced Backstage With Katherine Ryan on Amazon Prime Video. Industry insiders say she brings a lot to the table, especially when it comes to live entertainment. One senior entertainment source said about Longman and Aplin that they are the "crème de la crème of talent."
Sky and Universal back a bold new venture
Sky and Universal Television Alternative Studio are putting serious resources behind this project. The two companies officially announced the UK version of SNL last week, and according to insiders, they’ve been preparing the local comedy scene for quite some time.
This isn’t their first rodeo. Universal Television has handled international versions of the show in countries like China, Germany, and South Korea. But the UK version is getting a lot more attention, partly because of the country's deep ties to comedy.
Saturday Night Live UK has been in development since at least 2021, when Deadline first reported on early talks. Now, with 2026 as the official launch year, it looks like everything's coming together.
Learning from past mistakes in British late-night TV
Trying to bring American-style late-night shows to the UK hasn’t always worked out. ITV’s The Nightly Show was cancelled after just one season in 2017. Channel 4's 10 O'Clock Live fared a bit better, running for three seasons.
The difference this time could be in how Saturday Night Live UK is being built. There’s a strong focus on blending the American SNL format with UK sensibilities rather than simply copying it. With names like Lorne Michaels and James Longman involved, the team is working to avoid the usual pitfalls.
Plus, SNL already has a presence in the UK. While full episodes only started airing on Sky in 2020, British audiences are familiar with the show through viral clips and sketches.
High hopes and high expectations for Saturday Night Live UK
There’s no question that Saturday Night Live UK has a lot riding on it. With so many big names in play and a format that’s iconic across the world, expectations are high. The buzz from the British comedy community reflects that.
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Longman’s Hollywood experience might also help secure some A-list guest hosts—a staple of the original SNL format. If done right, this could open doors for new comedy talent in the UK and bring a fresh energy to British TV.
With a launch date set for 2026, there's still time for the pieces to fall into place. But if early signals are anything to go by, Saturday Night Live UK might just be the comedy reboot worth waiting for.
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