Lorne Michaels, the visionary behind the legendary U.S. sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live (SNL), is set to bring his magic across the Atlantic with the launch of Saturday Night Live UK on Sky. The highly anticipated British version has officially revealed its top creative team, promising to blend iconic SNL humor with the UK’s vibrant comedy culture.
James Longman to Lead as Executive Producer
Two-time Emmy Award winner James Longman has been confirmed as the lead producer for Saturday Night Live UK. Longman, known for his work on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Never Mind the Buzzcocks, and Alan Carr: Chatty Man, brings a rich background in both British and American comedy.
Speaking about his new role, Longman expressed his excitement:
“After several years in LA, it’s amazing to come back home to such a vibrant and exciting live comedy scene. Saturday Night Live has set the bar for live sketch comedy for half a century, and to help bring that legacy to London using our incredible on-screen and off-screen talent, along with tremendous investment in UK production, is a massive honour.”
Liz Clare and Daran Jonno Johnson Join the Creative Team
Joining Longman are Liz Clare as director and Daran Jonno Johnson as head writer — both highly respected figures in British entertainment.
Clare is a celebrated live television director, having helmed major UK broadcasts such as An Audience with Adele, The BRIT Awards, The BAFTA Film Awards, and Glastonbury Festival. Her experience directing some of the country’s biggest live events positions her perfectly to capture the energy and spontaneity that SNL UK aims to deliver.
Meanwhile, Daran Jonno Johnson, a talented writer, comedian, and composer, will lead the show’s writing room. A member of the acclaimed sketch trio Sheeps, Johnson’s previous credits include Wedding Season for Disney+ and Siblings for the BBC.
A Landmark Moment for British Comedy
The British adaptation of Saturday Night Live marks a major collaboration between Universal Television Alternative Studio’s UK production team, Broadway Video, and Sky. With Lorne Michaels continuing his role as executive producer, fans can expect the same sharp wit and live sketch brilliance that made the original SNL a global phenomenon.
This new version aims to celebrate the unique humor of the UK while honoring the 50-year legacy of the American original. With such an accomplished creative team at the helm, Saturday Night Live UK is already shaping up to be one of the most exciting additions to British television in 2025.
Also Read: ‘Trillion’: Joaquin Phoenix-Produced Documentary Explores Life, Existence, and Empathy at IDFA 2025
