Saturday Night Live UK is returning for a second season, with Sky confirming that all 11 SNL UK original cast members will be back.
The spin-off of the long-running US sketch comedy show debuted in March and quickly attracted attention for its satirical take on British politics, celebrities and public figures.
The first season featured sketches poking fun at figures including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and members of the Royal Family.
Emma Sidi. Photo credit: Loredana Sangiuliano, Shutterstock
Like the original American version, each SNL episode features a celebrity host who takes part in sketches alongside the regular cast, as well as a musical guest performing live.
This first season's star-studded celebrity line-up included Jamie Dornan, Jack Whitehall, Aimee Lou Wood, Hannah Waddingham, Ncuti Gatwa and, of course, Nicola Coughaln.
Hannah Waddingham. DFree, Shutterstock
Sky has now confirmed that season two will premiere on Saturday, September 12.
The new season will initially consist of six episodes, with further episodes planned for 2027.
All 11 members of the original cast are set to return for the second season, although Sky has yet to reveal the full list of hosts and musical guests.
This cast includes Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Ayoade Bamgboye, Celeste Dring, Emma Sidi, George Fouracres, Hammed Animashaun, Jack Shep, Larry Dean, and Paddy Young.
The broadcaster described the upcoming run as a “fresh season of unpredictable, must-watch Saturday night television.”
SNL UK is produced by Sky Studios in association with Broadway Video and Universal Television.
The format is based on the iconic US series Saturday Night Live, which has been running since 1975 and has become one of the most recognisable sketch comedy shows in the world.
The UK version follows the same basic format, combining topical comedy sketches with celebrity hosts and live musical performances.
Nicola Coughlan. Photo credit: Shutterstock
One of the most memorable moments from the first season came from Irish actress Nicola Coughlan, who made a surprise appearance in the show's debut episode before returning as a host just four weeks later.
The Bridgerton and Derry Girls star poked fun at the short gap between her appearances, acting as though she had been away from the show for years.
In a promo ahead of her hosting appearance, Coughlan arrived at the studio with a suitcase and greeted cast members Hammed Animashaun and Annabel Marlow with mock emotion.
“I don't even know if you guys remember me,” she joked. “It's Nicola Coughlan. I was actually here for the first ever episode of SNL UK.”
She then marvelled at how much the cast had supposedly “grown” in the space of just one month, producing a framed photo of her previous appearance and describing herself as “young” and “innocent” at the time.
When the cast pointed out that she was wearing the exact same outfit, complete with the same apparently still-fresh flower, Coughlan hit back: “This is why we don't keep in touch.”
The sketch ended with her dramatically declaring: “I'm back! Finally! Take that, Tina Fey! I'm the captain now.”
Coughlan's connection to SNL UK dates back to its launch episode on March 21, when she made a surprise cameo during Tina Fey's opening monologue.
The Irish star questioned why an American comedian had been chosen to host the UK version instead of a British icon, jokingly suggesting David Beckham — or even “Shrek” — for the job.
Fey responded with the now-infamous line: “How do I put this politely... None of you f***ers would do it.”
The exchange quickly went viral and helped establish the irreverent tone of the new series, with Coughlan's return as a host becoming one of the standout moments of its opening run.
More details about the second season, including the celebrity hosts and musical guests, are expected to be announced ahead of the September SNL UK premiere.
