It’s an emotionally charged moment for Nicola Coughlan—and only Nicola Coughlan—when in the promo above, the Irish actress returns to Saturday Night Live UK to serve as host after a whole four (4) weeks away.
Coughlan (Derry Girls, Bridgerton) of course delivered SNL UK‘s very first cameo, way, way back on March 21. When host Tina Fey used her monologue time to field questions from the studio audience, Coughlan stood up to ask why the American SNL alum, and not a British icon like David Beckham “or Shrek,” was hosting. Fey replied, “How do I put this politely…. None of you f*ckers would do it,” and in doing so effectively introduced the concept of freely swearing on SNL‘s UK offshoot.
In the promo above, Coughlan rocks up to home base at Studio TC1, suitcase in tow, and is visibly moved to see that both Hammed Animashaun and Annabel Marlow are “still here!” The pair of cast members do not share in Coughlan’s amazement at the passage of (very little) time, but oblige their host with hugs.
Coughlan remarks at how “grown up” Animashaun and Marlow now look, then whips out a framed still of her premiere cameo, remarking on how “young” and “innocent” she was back then. A little over four weeks prior.
Animashaun and Marlow again interrupt the nostalgic vibe to clock that Coughlan is wearing the same outfit from that night; in fact, the flower pinned to her lapel “is not even dead.”
“This is why we don’t keep in touch,” Coughlan huffs in response.
Press play above to watch the emotional reunion in full.
The second half of SNL UK‘s eight-episode freshman season series kicks off this Saturday, April 25, with Coughlan as host and Foo Fighters as musical guest. They’ll be followed on May 2 by English actress Aimee Lou Wood (The White Lotus) as host, and musical guest MEEK.
Episodes air live across the pond on Sky One, and stream Stateside the next day on Peacock.
Hosts/musical guests have yet to be announced for the final two outings of the season, which was expanded from a scant six episodes ahead of its premiere.
