Casting for the U.K. version of “Saturday Night Live” is “well underway,” Sky exec Phil Edgar-Jones said on Wednesday.
When asked about the upcoming sketch series on a panel at Content London, Edgar-Jones — executive director of unscripted originals at the broadcaster — teased: “I am actually not allowed to say anything. It’s going to be good!”
However, he soon gave the audience a bit more information, saying: “We’re so excited about it because it is an opportunity for us to really nurture that next generation of comic talent. So we’re casting at the moment, we’re sort of well underway with that. We’re looking at writers.”
Edgar-Jones added that Sky has had “such a great response to it from the comedy community and I’m really, really excited about. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
“SNL U.K.,” which marks the first British adaptation of the long-running U.S. show, is set to launch on Sky and streaming service NOW next year. Series creator Lorne Michaels is executive producing the London-set spinoff.
Last month, Sky revealed the first key creatives behind the show. “The Late Late Show With James Corden” alum and two-time Emmy winner James Longman will serve as the sketch show’s lead producer, while Liz Clare, an experienced live event director with credits like the BRIT Awards and “An Audience With Adele,” is set to helm the series. Daran Jonno Johnson, part of the comedy group Sheeps who penned the 2022 film “Wedding Season” for Disney+, is on board as head writer.
“SNL U.K.” will have “the same live, fast-paced format as the original, featuring a new generation of comedy players in the core cast, alongside guest hosts and musical performances,” according to a press release.