Casting in Full Swing for 'Saturday Night Live UK'

Sky is actively advancing the casting process for its British adaptation of Saturday Night Live. According to Phil Edgar-Jones, Skys head of unscripted programming, the initiative is gaining strong momentum within the comedy community.

Casting is well underway, Edgar-Jones confirmed. Were currently reviewing writers and the response from the comedy scene has been excellent. This is a great chance to cultivate the next wave of comedic talent.

Earlier reports from Sky indicated that potential cast members are expected to be available from mid-January to early April, ahead of the shows launch next year. Each candidate is also tasked with casting sketches with potential guest hosts for the series.

When asked for further details, Edgar-Jones remained discreet, humorously acknowledging his reputation for inadvertently sharing information. I often get told, Dont say anything, he said, joking about his nickname at Sky, leaky Phil.

The creative team for SNL UK was announced last month. Daran Jonno Johnson, known for his work on Disney+s Wedding Season, serves as head writer, while Liz Clare, a seasoned live TV director with credits including the BAFTA Film Awards, has been appointed series director. They join James Longman, executive producer of The Late Late Show with James Corden.

Edgar-Jones emphasized that the series will avoid following the trend of guessing game formats. Theres a risk of chasing whats already established as best in class, he explained, highlighting the focus on originality.

Meanwhile, Skys drama division is exploring a shift in tone. Meghan Lyvers, executive director of scripted content, stated the network is seeking dramas with more soap or fun elements. These shows dont need to feel like guilty pleasures, just enjoyable ones, she said, noting that Sky continues to excel in heavy dramatic pieces but aims to diversify its offerings.

With the long-running comedy Brassic ending, Lyvers mentioned the team is searching for a fresh series with a similar appeal, acknowledging it as a challenging task. Additionally, Sky plans to increase the number of limited series, like the upcoming Amadeus starring Will Sharpe, and to continue developing major tentpole projects such as the second season of The Day of the Jackal.

Author: Aiden Foster