Sky Renews Saturday Night Live UK for 12 More Episodes After 86 Million Social Views
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 17
Sky Renews Saturday Night Live UK for 12 More Episodes After 86 Million Social Views
8 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 17
Sky has ordered a second 12-episode run of Saturday Night Live UK after the first eight-week season won over many early skeptics and improved by its finale, hosted by Ncuti Gatwa.
86 million views across the show's official social accounts in its first month helped drive that confidence, with critics saying the UK version found its own voice rather than copying the US original.
The 11-member cast and Weekend Update drew particular praise, while reviewers still called parts of the series hit-or-miss and said guest-host monologues translated less well to British TV.
Live viewing was modest—Tina Fey's opener drew 226,000 on Sky One—but audiences at least doubled within a week once repeats and on-demand viewing were included.
The renewal gives Sky a fresh autumn 2026 launch window and extends what supporters say is a rare slot for live British sketch comedy on Saturday nights.
Will SNL UK's second series abandon more American traditions to forge a truly unique British identity?
With a UK recession looming, can SNL UK's high budget survive on social media buzz alone?