The former ‘SNL’ cast member and head writer is helping launch the London-set sketch comedy series.

Tina Fey will host inaugural episode of the U.K. version of Saturday Night Live

The former 'SNL' cast member and head writer is helping launch the London-set sketch comedy series.

By Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence is a former associate editor at **. He left EW in 2022.

EW's editorial guidelines

on March 16, 2026 4:07 p.m. ET

Tina Fey in a 'Saturday Night Live' promo. Credit:

Rosalind O'Connor/NBC via Getty

Live from London, it's Tina Fey!

The iconic *Saturday Night Live* cast member is set to lend her bonafides to the launch of the new U.K. version of the sketch comedy series, as Fey will host the inaugural episode on March 21. English rock band Wet Leg will serve as the musical guest.

Fey's* SNL* career began when she was hired in 1997 as a writer, and, in 1999, she became the show's first female head writer. She officially joined the cast in 2000, serving as the co-anchor of Weekend Update, until she departed in 2006 to create and star on *30 Rock*. Since her departure, Fey has returned to host six times.

Fey will be followed by Irish actor Jamie Dornan, who will host on March 28 and be joined by musical guest Wolf Alice. Born and bred in London, Oscar winner Riz Ahmed will take the stage at the London studio for the third episode, airing on April 4, and featuring a performance from Kasabian.

Jamie Dornan; Riz Ahmed.

Joe Maher/Getty; Karwai Tang/WireImage

***Get your daily dose of entertainment news, celebrity updates, and what to watch with our EW Dispatch newsletter.***

*SNL *creator Lorne Michaels is executive producing the Sky One series, and Seth Meyers is one of the alums who has gone across the pond to help the new team prepare for their *SNL* take.

But count *Last Week Tonight*'s John Oliver as a skeptic. "It sounds like a terrible idea," the British comedian told Meyers last year. "It just feels like *Saturday Night Live* is such a unique group. It’s a cult. I’m trying to not say the word. It’s a cult. And so I don’t know how you can impose that cult onto the U.K.”

*SNL UK* premieres March 21.

Original Article on Source

Source: “EW SNL”