SNL UK producer praises "special line-up" and teases show's tone: "We're sweating Britishness"

Saturday Night Live is finally making its way to the UK, and this weekend will see the very first episode with none other than Tina Fey at the helm.

The comedian is celebrated for her era-defining years as head writer and cast member on the US version, but despite an American being the UK show's first host, there is plenty of British comedy talent attached.

The sketch comedy announced its inaugural cast earlier this year, with a raft of comedy names from the likes of Taskmaster, Big Boys and Black Ops to name a few – and producer James Longman is sure audiences will be impressed.

"We've just got an incredibly British perspective really," Longman told Radio Times. "Our whole team is such a modern mix of voices. The writers are amazing, they're very funny, we're sweating Britishness!"

Fey will be joined by Wet Leg this Saturday and in the weeks that follow, The Tourist actor Jamie Dornan will host on 28 March, joined by BRIT award-winning band Wolf Alice, while on 4 April, Academy Award winner Riz Ahmed will present, accompanied by titans of rock Kasabian.

But with only three hosts and musical acts confirmed so far, viewers are already speculating who else SNL UK has got up its sleeve.

When suggested Madonna would be a great host and musical act, Longman told Radio Times: "It'd always be great to see Madonna, but we've got the first three shows and we're so lucky to have a line-up.

"It's a really special line-up and hopefully it'll make some people laugh on Saturday night."

Much like the original, each episode of SNL UK will be staged in front of a live studio audience, featuring an opening monologue, topical sketches, live music and a UK take on SNL’s iconic news satire, Weekend Update.

Phil Edgar-Jones, executive director of unscripted originals at Sky, said of the series: "We all need a laugh like never before, so we’re beyond excited to bring Saturday Night Live to the UK, only 50 short years after it first launched in the US.

"The show’s long-standing legacy of discovering and nurturing outstanding comedy talent speaks for itself, and this UK version will build on that legacy with the support of Lorne Michaels, a brilliant local production team, and an exciting new generation of voices. Saturday nights are looking bright!"

Saturday Night Live UK launches on to Sky One and NOW on Saturday 21 March at 10pm – find out how to sign up for Sky TV.

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