SNL UK Host Riz Ahmed, Cast & Writers Check In From Read-Thru

Here’s a look at Saturday Night Live UK host Riz Ahmed, and the SNL UK cast & writers, checking in from the read-thru for this weekend’s show.

After giving Sky and NOW’s Saturday Night Live UK cast members Ayoade Bamgboye and George Fouracres a better understanding of his modern approach to method acting during the SNL UK midweek sketch (waiting for you above), Academy Award-winner Riz Ahmed and the crew got down to business, and we had a chance to check in with them. With musical guests Kasabian set to join them this weekend, we were treated to a look at our SNL UK host, the cast, and the writers during the middle read-thru.

Here’s a look at Ahmed and the SNL UK cast and writers checking in from read-thru, followed by a look back at this past weekend’s SNL UK Cold Open. And don’t forget that comedian and actor Jack Whitehall (The ‘Burbs, Jungle Cruise) and soul singer Jorja Smith are set for the fourth episode, before a one-week hiatus sees the comedy series returning on April 25th for the first of its final four shows this season.

This past weekend, SNL UK targeted former Prince Andrew‘s relationship with Jeffrey Epstein in an opener that imagined the entire controversy as being a “29-year plan” to make now-King Charles look good. Set in 1997, during a meeting at MI5 headquarters shortly after the death of Princess Diana, Celeste Dring‘s MI5 agent explains the seriousness of the situation to Prince Andrew (Jack Shep, who made headlines last week with his impression of Diana).

“Since the death of Diana, the public have turned on Prince Charles. But still, one day he will be king. We need to make him look good. There’s no easy way to say this, Your Highness. We have deduced that the only way to increase the likability of our future king is to decrease the likability of everyone around him,” Dring’s agent explains. “I see,” Shep’s Andrew replied. “Well, I love my brother, I love my country, and I’m willing to do whatever it takes.” He learns exactly what “whatever it takes” means after Hammed Animashaun‘s MI5 agent hands him the book with the “29-year plan” laid out.

“And you actually want me to do all of this stuff? Even the part about befriending a notorious pedophile? Before and after he’s convicted? And there’s absolutely no other way to help my brother look good?” Andrew asks, shocked by what he had just read. To drive home the point of the plan to him, Andrew meets with Larry Dean‘s Peter Mandelson and Emma Sidi‘s Sarah Ferguson, two more “agents” recruited to make Charles look good. Thankfully for Andrew, Dring’s agent lets him know that he has an out if he’s ever in trouble: “Your Highness, if you’re ever in too deep, just say the code word, and we’ll step in to save you.” The code word? “Pizza Express, Woking,” (a knife-twist on Andrew’s alibi regarding his relationship with Epstein. But in the end, Andrew chooses to do what’s best for Charles – because 2026 will clearly be better… right? “Gentlemen, thank you, and say goodbye to the man you love. I’ll see you in 2026, when I can finally hold my head up high and say… Live from London, it’s Saturday night!” noted Andrew, before Shep took over for the big SNL UK callout.

Jack Whitehall confirmed as Saturday Night Live UK’s fourth host

The British comedian will be joined by Jorja Smith as the musical performer.

There seems to be a growing consensus that while there are a few creases to iron out, Saturday Night Live UK is proving to be a success, a welcome change to the dismal late-night television landscape in the country. While viewer numbers could be better, despite beating out established networks, Sky seems confident in the future of the show, hence why it extended the first season from six to eight episodes.

The full slate of hosts and musical performers for the eight-episode season has yet to be confirmed, with only the first three hosts initially revealed. After Tina Fey’s kick-off, Jamie Dornan’s follow-up, and Riz Ahmed taking over this weekend, now the host for the fourth show has been revealed.

British comedian Jack Whitehall will be helming the fourth show, where he will be joined by Jorja Smith as the musical guest. This show will actually be the last for a short while, as SNL UK will have a brief mid-season break before returning two weeks later on April 25 for a show hosted by an unrevealed star.

What is your stance on SNL UK so far?