Saturday Night Live UK is returning for its second season in September, broadcaster Sky has announced.The UK version of the popular NBC sketch comedy show originally launched in March. The format features a distinct host taking to the stage each week to lead the show alongside its inaugural comedy ensemble, complemented by a performance from a musical guest.While a second season was initially confirmed back in May, Sky has now revealed that the opening episode will air on Saturday, 12 September.Sky has promised that the initial six brand-new episodes will deliver a "fresh season of unpredictable, must-watch Saturday night television", with further shows planned to follow in early 2027.A teaser video for the upcoming season depicts a selection of clips from the first series playing across screens in a control room, culminating in a countdown to the date announcement.A trailer for the new season has also been released, which shows a series of clips from the first season being played in a control room as a countdown kicks in before the second season’s release date is announced (Sky)The entire 11-member inaugural cast will return for the new run. The lineup features Hammed Animashaun, Ayoade Bamgboye, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, George Fouracres, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young.Broadcast live each week, the show will once again welcome a different celebrity host and musical guest for every episode, alongside topical sketches, live music performances and a British take on the Weekend Update segment.Fans will also be able to apply to be part of the live studio audience, with a ticket ballot going live from 10am on Friday, 14 August.Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 dayNew subscribers only. £9.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled.Try for freeADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.The series debuted with SNL veteran Tina Fey, who was followed by The Fall actor Jamie Dornan, Bait star Riz Ahmed, comedian Jack Whitehall, Derry Girls actress Nicola Coughlan, Sex Education star Aimee Lou Wood, Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham and then Sex Education’s Ncuti Gatwa.Saturday Night Live creator and executive producer Lorne Michaels previously said he was “incredibly proud” of the team and the show, which “keeps getting better every week”.Broadcast live each week, SNL UK will once again welcome a different celebrity host and musical guest for every episode, alongside topical sketches, live music performances and a British take on the Weekend Update segment (Sky UK Limited)The show suffered a dip in ratings after a solid start, which attracted 226,000 viewers for its first episode with Fey. The second episode, with actor Dornan, pulled in 205,000 viewers, with 130,100 tuning in for Ahmed’s episode the week after.The show has been a huge success on social media, however, creating viral moments thanks to the cast’s impersonations of Princess Diana, Keir Starmer, Melania Trump and Prince Charles. As of late April, the series’ Instagram and TikTok clips had exceeded 86 million views, making it a certified hit in the current world of television.Comedian and actor Nick Mohammed said the show was “the best thing that’s happened to British comedy since” Ricky Gervais’s sitcom The Office premiered in 2001.SNL UK returns 12 September on Sky and Now.