The British comedy scene is buzzing with excitement! Word on the street, and confirmed by Deadline, is that *Saturday Night Live UK* is eyeing a big name to lead its production: James Longman, the executive producer of *The Late Late Show with James Corden*. While a deal isn’t finalized, sources say Sky and Universal Television Alternative Studio are keen to bring Longman on board as showrunner.
Lorne Michaels, the creator of *SNL*, will still be officially credited, but Longman is expected to handle the day-to-day operations. He’s reportedly already reaching out to potential writers and cast members, suggesting a rapid-fire approach to assembling the team. Longman’s seven years producing the Emmy-winning *Late Late Show*, including a move from London to LA to work alongside James Corden and Ben Winston, are sure to be invaluable in attracting high-profile guest hosts.
Longman’s experience extends beyond *The Late Late Show*. His credits include *Jamie Foxx: What Had Happened Was…*, and British staples like *Never Mind the Buzzcocks* and *Alan Carr: Chatty Man*. Since *The Late Late Show* concluded in 2023, he’s co-founded the production company Jolly Octopus, backed by BBC Studios. This new venture adds another layer of intrigue to his potential role with *SNL UK*.
But Longman isn’t the only big name potentially joining the *SNL UK* team. Suzi Aplin, another highly respected figure in British comedy, is also rumored to be signing on. Her background producing live shows such as *Friday Night with Jonathan Ross*, *Don’t Forget Your Toothbrush*, and *Comic Relief*, makes her a strong contender for a senior production role. Aplin’s experience also includes working on Amazon Prime Video’s *Backstage With Katherine Ryan*.
Industry insiders are calling Longman and Aplin a dream team, praising their talent and popularity within the UK entertainment world. Sky officially announced the *SNL* remake last week, with Broadway Video and Universal Television Alternative Studio producing. The level of preparation from the *SNL* team is noteworthy, with sources saying that almost every comedy name and writer in the UK has already been contacted about the project.
Michaels is expected to hold masterclasses with selected British writers to impart the *SNL* ethos, and is even considering bringing over some American writers to assist. The UK version is set to launch in 2026, becoming the most high-profile international adaptation after versions in China, Germany, Italy, and South Korea. While *SNL* is familiar to UK audiences, it’s largely known for viral clips rather than full TV viewership. This ambitious project marks a significant attempt to bring the format fully to British television, despite past attempts at replicating American late-night shows not having the best track records.
The anticipation is palpable. Will this *SNL UK* iteration finally break the curse of failed American late-night adaptations in the UK? Only time will tell, but with talent like Longman and Aplin on board, the chances of success are certainly looking brighter.
