SNL UK Sets Sept. 12 Return With All 11 Cast Members for Season 2

Saturday Night Live UK will return to Sky and NOW on Sept. 12, 2026, with all 11 original cast members reprising their roles for a second season that has been expanded to 12 episodes.

The new run kicks off with six consecutive weekly episodes through October, with additional installments planned for early 2027.

The first season premiered in March 2026, drawing a range of A-list British and Irish hosts including Jamie Dornan, Riz Ahmed, Jack Whitehall, Nicola Coughlan, Aimee Lou Wood, Hannah Waddingham and Ncuti Gatwa.

Tina Fey hosted the inaugural episode. The Season 2 lineup of hosts and musical guests has yet to be announced.

Cast and Creative Team Changes

Returning for the sophomore run are Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young.

Behind the camera, Laura Claxton has been promoted to co-head writer alongside Jonno Johnson, who continues as head writer.

Director Liz Clare is back for her second season, while Heather MacVean joins as costume designer and Sinead Oldnall takes charge of on-screen talent for the U.K. production.

Lorne Michaels continues as executive producer, with James Longman leading production. Universal Television Alternative Studio’s U.K. arm and Broadway Video produce the series.

Phil Edgar-Jones, Sky’s executive director of unscripted originals, commissioned the show, with Alex Moody, the broadcaster’s head of comedy commissioning, handling the second-season order on behalf of Sky Studios CEO and chief content officer Cecile Frot-Coutaz.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team and the show. It keeps getting better every week. I’m grateful to Dana Strong and Sky for believing in and supporting SNL U.K. I’m excited for the season ahead.”

The six confirmed Season 2 episodes are set to air on Sept. 12, Sept. 19, Sept. 26, Oct. 10, Oct. 17 and Oct. 24.

Each episode will pair a celebrity host with a musical guest and feature topical sketches, live performances and a British take on “Weekend Update.” Audience tickets will open via ballot on Aug. 14.

First Season Performance and Digital Reach

The debut season’s linear ratings proved modest. Fey’s premiere drew more than 220,000 viewers on Sky, with the second episode pulling 205,000 and the third drawing 130,100.

Despite the dip, the show found a much larger audience on social media, with Instagram and TikTok clips exceeding 86 million views as of late April.

That digital traction was fueled in large part by viral impersonations of Princess Diana, Keir Starmer, Melania Trump and Prince Charles.

The expanded Season 2 order to 12 episodes — six in the fall run and additional installments in early 2027 — suggests Sky is leaning into that digital momentum rather than the linear numbers.

The full original cast returning intact also signals stability for a show still establishing itself with British audiences.

U.S. viewers will be able to watch both seasons on Peacock, the same platform that carried the first run.

Sources

• Variety