AceShowbiz - The debut episode of Saturday Night Live UK will be hosted by none other than Tina Fey, marking a notable start for the British adaptation of the iconic sketch show. The premiere is scheduled to air on March 21, with English band Wet Leg set as the first musical guest, according to broadcaster Sky TV.

Tina Fey is widely recognized for her extensive history with the original American version of SNL. She joined the show as a writer in 1997 and made history as the first female head writer two years later. By 2000, Fey became part of the cast, staying until 2006 when she left to create and star in the hit series 30 Rock. Over the years, she has hosted SNL six times, making her a perfect choice to introduce the UK version of the show.

The subsequent episodes will feature British actors Jamie Dornan and Riz Ahmed as hosts on March 28 and April 4, respectively. Dornan, known for his roles in The Tourist and the Fifty Shades of Grey franchise, will be accompanied by the musical guest Wolf Alice. Meanwhile, Ahmed, star of the upcoming Prime Video series Bait, will welcome the band Kasabian as the musical act for his episode.

The new series will air at 10 p.m. local time on Sky One and the streaming platform Now, with episodes also available for next-day streaming on Peacock in the United States. Each episode will have a runtime of 75 minutes, slightly shorter than the 90-minute episodes typical of the American version.

The UK cast of SNL includes a diverse and talented group: Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi, and Paddy Young. The show is executive produced by SNL creator Lorne Michaels, with James Longman serving as lead producer. Direction is handled by Liz Clare, while Daran Jonno Johnson is the head writer.

This launch promises to bring the spirit of the original SNL to a new audience, backed by a strong creative team and a lineup of hosts and musical guests that blend American and British talent. Fans of sketch comedy and live television alike will be eager to see how Saturday Night Live UK unfolds.