SNL UK brings Donald Trump on screen at last, with US star in the role
Donald Trump has finally appeared on Saturday Night Live UK. James Austin Johnson played him in the 17 October episode.
The debut came in the cold open, the opening sketch that plays before the title sequence. It was staged as a job swap. George Fouracres played Andy Burnham, the politician the show presents as prime minister, while Freddie Meredith played Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, according to Deadline.
Trump had been mentioned on SNL UK before. He had never been seen on it until now.
Johnson was a familiar face for the part. He has played Trump on the American Saturday Night Live for five years after taking over from Alec Baldwin. His arrival in London gave the British version a direct link to the original cast.
The episode was hosted by actor James Norton. It was the fifth show in the first half of Series 2. Music came from The Streets.
SNL UK goes out live from London at 10pm on Saturdays on Sky One, according to Sky. Series 1 ran for eight episodes. Series 2 was extended to 12 episodes split into two parts, with the first block starting on 12 September 2026 and the second due in early 2027.
The show is produced by Universal Television Alternative Studio's UK production team and Broadway Video. Lorne Michaels serves as executive producer, with James Longman as lead producer.
Meredith is new to the company. He joined the cast for Series 2 after an Edinburgh Fringe Best Newcomer nomination. Fouracres was part of the inaugural 11-strong troupe confirmed by Sky in February 2026. The writing team counts 20 staff writers led by Jonno Johnson as head writer, with Charlie Skelton on Weekend Update.
What makes this stand out is the timing. SNL UK is still in its second series. Borrowing the American show's Trump now puts a shared character in the London slot.
