By Kennedy French, Arushi Jacob, Payton Turkeltaub, Ellise Shafer
Courtesy of Sky Originals “Saturday Night Live” is landing across the pond. The British adaptation of NBC’s long-running comedy series is set to premiere on March 21, which means there’s a whole new lineup of stand-ups to familiarize yourself with.
Like the original show, “SNL U.K.” will feature rotating hosts, musical guests, opening monologues, topical sketches and even its own “Weekend Update” — all with a British spin.
The core cast includes 11 cast members, all of whom bring with them unique backgrounds that span comedy, music and drama. The cast — who Liz Jenkins, chief business officer of NBCUniversal Entertainment, referred to as a group of “bold new British voices” — includes Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young.
In the U.S., the show will stream on Peacock the day after it airs on the U.K.’s Sky One and Now.
Read on for a guide to the new faces of “SNL U.K.”
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Hammed Animashaun
Image Credit: Sky UK Hammed Animashaun is a British actor and comedian known for his versatile stage, television and film work. He won best male comedy performance at the 2024 Royal Television Society Programme Awards for his role as Kay in “Black Ops” and appears as Loial in Amazon’s “The Wheel of Time.” His theater credits include starring as Bottom in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” at the Bridge Theatre.
Hometown: East London
Comedy heroes: Lenny Henry, Gina Yashere, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock
Why did you want to be part of the “SNL U.K.” cast?
It’s the prestige of “Saturday Night Live,” to be part of something so popular and historic is a privilege. I don’t think there’s another show like it that’s been running as long. It would’ve been weird to have said no!
What is your background in live performance or sketch comedy?
I think of myself as an actor first and foremost. I’ve done a lot of theatre. That’s my first love so I feel very much at home on the stage and performing live. Transferring that experience over to live comedy is something I’m really excited for.
