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Saturday Night Live UK season 2 confirms brand new cast member for upcoming episodes

The sketch show returns this weekend.

A man sat on the ground smiling ahead with his arms resting on his legs.

Sky UK / Eva Pentel

Published: Monday, 7 September 2026 at 11:56 am

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Saturday Night Live UK is expanding its ensemble for season 2, with actor and comedian Freddie Meredith joining the cast ahead of the show's return this weekend.

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Meredith, known for his works on Such Brave Girls and Big Boys, arrives fresh from his Edinburgh Fringe debut with Need a Light?, a show that earned him a nomination for the Edinburgh Comedy Award for best newcomer.

He joins the season 1 line-up, all of whom return for the new run: Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young.

Hailing from Shepherd's Bush, Meredith counts Jamie Demetriou, Tim Key, Tina Fey, Nathan Fielder, Kristen Wiig, Steve Coogan, Steve Carell and Julia Davis among his comedy heroes.

Celeste Dring, Hammed Animashaun, Larry Dean, George Fouracres, Jack Shep, Ayoade Bamgboye, Al Nash, Paddy Young, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow and Emma Sidi posing for a picture in a variety of poses, all laughing and smiling.

The season 1 cast of Saturday Night Live UK. Sky

Asked why he wanted to be part of the show, Meredith called it "a no brainer". He said: "It's the most iconic comedy show and it looks like so much fun. It will undoubtedly inform everything I do for the rest of my career and I can't wait for the experience. It's SNL!!!"

"I trained at drama school and began working professionally in theatre," he explained. "Over time, I found myself increasingly drawn to comedy and started doing stand-up alongside my acting work, and that naturally led me into making short sketches online."

Season 2 opens with Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum hosting and Irish singer-songwriter CMAT as the musical guest. Sky has confirmed the new run will air six episodes across the autumn before pausing and returning in early 2027. Following the 12 September launch, further episodes are scheduled for 19 September, 26 September, 10 October, 17 October and 24 October.

Saturday Night Live UK returns on Saturday 12 September on Sky TV and NOW. You can sign up to NOW from £4.99 a month.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Katelyn Mensah, smiling against a lime green background.

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.

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