This much we know: Saturday Night Live UK is set to premiere March 21, both across the pond and in Canada. (No word yet on whether the show will air or stream in the U.S.)
We also have a confirmed cast of 11, and an abundance of experienced producers and crew working behind the scenes.
What we don’t have, yet, is a host—for the SNL offshoot’s premiere, or beyond.
In case lead producer James Longman (formerly of The Late Late Show with James Corden) needs a nudge, LateNighter presents ten candidates for SNL UK‘s first six available slots.
Our picks include a sketch comedy icon, a recording artist ripe for double duty, a beloved alum of NBC’s own SNL, the requisite athlete, and several funny folks deserving of a showcase. We focused on UK-raised/-adjacent talent (but allowed in one Yank!), and also took into consideration, of course, those with a timely project to promote.
(Fun fact: English Grammy winner Harry Styles claimed a space on an early draft of this list, until SNL proper booked him for March 14.)
Which path will SNL UK itself follow, with an initial order of just six episodes? Will it lean into local talent to underscore its British-ness, enlist a UK comedy legend or two, or simply go for the big, attention-getting names?
Survey our SNL UK short list, and weigh in on which direction you think the international offshoot will go.
James Acaster
The award-winning observational comedian, who hails from Kettering, Northamptonshire, has been a frequent (and recent) guest on NBC’s Late Night with Seth Meyers—marking his first appearance on a Stateside late-night program since The Late Late Show with James Corden circa May 2018. His credits also include the UK’s Have I Got News for You, Taskmaster, a 2018 Netflix stand-up special, and the hosting of the British panel show Hypothetical.
David Beckham
NBC’s SNL is known to take the occasional flyer on an athlete as host, with varying results. Though Beckham has never graced Studio 8H, he made a name for himself (and coined as phrase) as a professional footballer (and sometime reality TV personality), and he’s game to spoof his public persona (including in an episode of Modern Family). Bonus points if he can behoove wife Victoria to facilitate a Spice Girls reunion in the same SNL UK episode.
Jessie Buckley
The Irish actress is red-hot coming off the success of Hamnet, the period drama for which she has earned a Golden Globe and BAFTA Award, an Oscar nod, and other kudos. She’s been a delight on her late-night promotional tour, flexed her comedic chops in Fargo Season 4 and the 2023 film Wicked Little Letters (opposite Olivia Colman), and has worked live in West End theaters. Let’s see what she can do in Studio TC1.
Greg Davies
The Welsh comedian and host of Taskmaster (a popular comedy panel show on Channel 4) wields a well-honed sense of humor that leans heavily sarcastic. Between that long-running gig and multiple stand-up specials (Full Fat Legend hit Netflix last summer), he is incredibly skilled at smart, on-the-fly humor.
Regé-Jean Page
The OG Bridgerton heartthrob hosted NBC’s SNL some five years ago (with musical guest Bad Bunny, heard of him?), so he’s got the live sketch comedy experience. With his and Halle Bailey’s big-screen rom-com You, Me & Tuscany hitting theaters in April, the timing is right for the Londoner’s across-the-pond encore.
Daniel Radcliffe
The London-born actor’s SNL hosting debut was more than 14 years ago, so we’d say he is overdue for a second turn. He has proven his comedy bona fides on series such as Miracle Workers and now (corporate synergy alert!) NBC’s The Fall and Rise of Reggie Dinkins, and is no stranger to the live-on-stage experience, most recently delighting Broadway in the musical Merrily We Roll Along.
Romesh Ranganathan
The West Sussex-born comedian already has a well-established relationship with SNL UK host Sky, which has been home to nine of his comedy series and stand-up specials since 2013. A BAFTA winner for hosting the BBC Two comedy show The Ranganation, he next can be seen in Season 2 of the unscripted reality series LOL: Last One Laughing UK (which streams Stateside on Prime Video).
Raye
The Tooting, London-born singer-songwriter would be a very fun pick to tackle double duty as musical guest and host—having already checked off the former on NBC’s SNL midway toward the end of Season 49 (alongside host Kristen Wiig). Also, the timing is quite right: Raye’s second studio album, This Music May Contain Hope, is on track for a March 27 release.
Jason Sudeikis
As far as actual SNL alumni go, Sudeikis gets our vote to “cross over” to the UK offshoot. With Season 4 of the Richmond, London-based Ted Lasso sports comedy due to hit Apple TV this summer he has become well-versed on UK culture, and he’s also familiar with the ins and outs of hosting SNL (as he did four-and-a-half years ago, alongside musical guest Brandi Carlile).
Tracey Ullman
Starting with The Tracey Ullman Show in 1987, the Emmy and Golden Globe winner has headlined new fewer than five eponymous sketch comedy series—making her one of the most overqualified options to help christen SNL UK. While she also has a singing career to her credit, it’s a bit far removed for her to tackle double duty, but it’d surely come in handy for any music-themed sketches. (Also, Ullman is due to appear in the aforementioned Ted Lasso Season 4, which arrives this summer.)
Will the UK version be available anywhere in the US to watch?
Figured Peacock, at the very least, might put it up, but the article doesn’t mention any US availability.
It will air in Canada, but no word on the U.S. yet.
Graham Norton, he can promote his books
There is a rumour flying around about Tina Fey…. I wouldn’t be surprised if Lorne Michaels is pulling in some favours on the hosts.