Saturday Night Live returns for its second season this month, with one of Hollywood’s quintessential stars in the hosting hot seat.
The UK spin-off of the iconic sketch show was a surprise hit when it launched this spring – despite fears the format might not translate across the pond – and returns this autumn for another batch of 75-minute episodes.
Jeff Goldblum will take on the first Saturday night’s hosting duties on September 12, with Irish singer-songwriter CMAT on board as musical guest.
All nigh-on two metres of the Jurassic Park star will be live in the Sky studio, filmed at Television Centre in west London, to kick off the upcoming six episodes for 2026.
SNL will then continue into the New Year with further hosts and musical guests to be announced.
While this will be Goldblum’s debut on SNL UK, he hosted the original New York iteration of the show twice in the 1990s to promote Jurassic Park and then Jurassic Park 2.
In one memorable sketch from 1998, titled Space: The Infinite Frontier with Harry Caray, Goldblum sat opposite Will Ferrell for an absurd talk show spoof.
Doing an impression of the American sportscaster, Ferrell improvised chunks of their exchange, which left Goldblum clearly trying to hold it together.
The 73-year-old is no stranger to taking on new British TV formats, after he was one of the inaugural guests on Claudia Winkleman’s brief BBC chat show.
Meanwhile, CMAT’s debut on SNL is another milestone in a phenomenal couple of years for the 30-year-old.
Real name Ciara Mary-Alice Thompson, she has been twice nominated for a Brit Award for international artist of the year. Her third album Euro-Country was nominated for the Mercury Prize and won best album at the Ivor Novello Awards in May.
The schedule of SNL season 2 (so far)
Episode 1 – September 12
Episode 2 – September 19
Episode 3 – September 26
Episode 4 – October 10
Episode 5 – October 17
Episode 6 – October 24
Created in 1975 by Canadian television producer Lorne Michaels, who executive produces the UK version, SNL has become an object of American cultural mythology. It has been broadcast since its inception from 30 Rockefeller Plaza in Manhattan.
Michaels previously said he was ‘incredibly proud’ of the UK team and the show, which ‘keeps getting better every week’.
SNL UK’s second season was confirmed in May, with all 11 members of the original cast on board for part two.
They are Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young.
The new series of SNL UK launches September 12 on Sky and streaming service NOW.