Saturday Night Live UK Announces New Writing Team
With just weeks to go before the debut of its inaugural season, Saturday Night Live UK has unveiled its writing team.
The newly announced writing staff consists of Al Roberts, Ayo Adenekan, Bella Hull, Celya AB, Charlie Skelton, Chris Cantrill, Ellie Fulcher, Gráinne Maguire, Hari Kanth, Humphrey Ker, James Farmer, Jonno Johnson, Joseph Moore, Keith Akushie, Laura Claxton, Lorna Rose Treen, Louis Waymouth, Nathan Foad, Omar Badawy, and Omodara Olatunji.
Jonno Johnson has been designated as Head Writer, while Charlie Skelton will lead as Head Writer for Weekend Update. The cast comprises 11 performers, including Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi, and Paddy Young.
Johnson expressed enthusiasm about the talented group, stating, “The number of funny, talented writers we have got to work on SNL UK is ludicrous. Some of them have been doing this for years, some of them it’s their first ever writing job. All of them make me giddy to come to work each day. Could not imaginably feel luckier that we get to make this show together.”
Sky’s Executive Director of Unscripted Originals, Phil Edgar Jones, mentioned, “As SNL UK races towards launch, our brilliant team of writers are already hard at work crafting some sublime and (importantly) funny sketches for our equally brilliant cast to perform. I’ve been lucky enough to attend a couple of table reads and I am delighted to report I cried laughing. We cannot wait to share the fun with a wider audience.”
The plans for the British version of SNL were officially confirmed last April, with the six-episode series premiering on Sky on March 21. It will also be available for streaming on NOW, the UK service. The production is a collaboration between Universal Television Alternative Studio’s UK team and Lorne Michaels’ Broadway Video, with Michaels serving as executive producer. James Longman is the Lead Producer, while Liz Clare will direct.
SNL UK was commissioned by Edgar-Jones, Sky Commissioning Executive Lisa Clark, and Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios and Chief Content Officer for Sky. The UK Productions team at Universal Television Alternative Studio is led by Managing Director Helen Kruger Bratt, with Shanna Baynard as Executive in Charge of Production and Andy Charles Smith as Lead Producer.
SNL UK Writing Team
Al Roberts
Al is part of the sketch group Sheeps and is known for Stath Lets Flats and Starstruck, with appearances in Man Like Mobeen, Everyone Else Burns, This Is Going To Hurt, and Industry.
Ayo Adenekan
Ayo is a stand-up comedian and joint winner of Best Newcomer at the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2025, along with the Bestie Award for Emerging Talent. His debut show, Black Mediocrity, sold out its Edinburgh Fringe run with additional dates added.
Bella Hull
Bella is a stand-up comedian and writer known for her appearances on Have I Got News For You, Stand Up For Live Comedy, The Stand Up Sketch Show, and Comedy Central. She has taken three shows to Edinburgh, including her sell-out 2025 show Doctors Hate Her.
Celya AB
Celya is a writer and stand-up comedian originally from Paris, with credits including The Great British Sewing Bee, Channel 4, and Comedy Central. She won Chortle Best Newcomer in 2022 and was a Funny Women finalist. Her online presence has garnered millions of views.
Charlie Skelton
Charlie is a comedy writer and journalist, known for his work on shows like 10 O’Clock Live and Frankie Boyle’s New World Order. His writing credits include Have I Got News For You, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and The Big Fat Quiz of the Year.
Chris Cantrill
Chris is a three-time Edinburgh Comedy Award-nominated comedian, writer, and actor. He co-created and stars in the BBC Radio 4 show Icklewick FM.
Ellie Fulcher
Ellie, a writer and facilitator from South-East London, won the OVERHEARD podcast competition with The Ballad of a Virgin who can’t drive in 2021. She has experience working at the Royal Court Theatre and recently held a dramaturg role on Soho Theatre’s Eat The Rich (but maybe not me mates x).
Gráinne Maguire
Gráinne is an award-winning Irish writer and stand-up whose credits include The Last Leg, 8 Out of 10 Cats, and the BAFTAs. She has appeared on multiple TV and radio programs.
Hari Kanth
Hari has written for Horrible Science and The Now Show. His sitcom script, Kothu, won the British Comedy Guide’s Spring Sitcom Selection.
Humphrey Ker
Humphrey is an actor, comedian, and writer featured in the EMMY award-winning series Welcome to Wrexham. He has appeared on shows including Have I Got News For You and Whose Line Is It Anyway.
James Farmer
James is a Welsh writer and performer with experience in various televised comedy shows, including Frankie Boyle’s New World Order and 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.
Jonno Johnson
Also known as Daran Johnson, he is a writer and comedian, part of the sketch group SHEEPS, with credits for Wedding Season and Parlement.
Joseph Moore
Hailing from New Zealand, Joseph is known for Jono & Ben and Taskmaster NZ/Australia. He is a part of Two Hearts and is working on multiple film projects.
Keith Akushie
Keith, an executive producer and writer on HBO’s The Franchise, began his career with Fresh Meat on Channel 4 and has created various television projects.
Laura Claxton
Laura has contributed to Never Mind The Buzzcocks and Have I Got News For You, and has experience across scripted comedy, chat shows, and reality TV.
Lorna Rose Treen
Lorna, a comedian and writer, is the recipient of several awards, including the Funny Women Stage Award. She has co-written for BBC Radio 4 and boasts a substantial online following.
Louis Waymouth
Known for his work on The Late Late Show with James Corden, Louis has experience writing for various acclaimed shows, including Psychobitches and The Armstrong and Miller Show.
Nathan Foad
Nathan is acclaimed for his role in Newark, Newark and has extensive writing experience across BBC and streaming projects.
Omar Badawy
Omar, originally from Egypt, began his comedy career in 2019 and quickly gained recognition with the So You Think You’re Funny award.
Omodara Olatunji
Omodara is a writer and performer who has made strides on the stand-up circuit, including contributions to ITV’s sketch show Say! Less!.
