Halloween night on Saturday Night Live was packed with surprises: Tom Hanks returned, Bobby Moynihan popped up, and the World Series champs even made an appearance. But one glaring absence left us scratching our heads. Where was George Fouracres?
Just weeks after SNL made an unexpected trip across the pond, it seemed only natural that its British counterpart would return the favor. After all, SNL UK breakout star George Fouracres had just appeared on Late Night With Seth Meyers days before the American show's October 31 episode. Yet when Inde Navarrette took the hosting reins, Fouracres was nowhere to be found. And with that, SNL missed its chance to welcome a cast member from the British adaptation for the first time.
The timing couldn't have been better. Two weeks earlier, SNL star James Austin Johnson appeared on the UK's October 17 episode hosted by James Norton, bringing his signature Donald Trump impression to the cold open alongside Fouracres. It was the first time the two casts had come together, and with Fouracres already stateside, why not return the favor? The opportunity was right there, and SNL let it slip away.
Who Is George Fouracres?
While American audiences might not be familiar with Fouracres just yet, the British comedian has already established himself as one of SNL UK's biggest names. His October 29 appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers offered a glimpse of how the growing relationship between the two shows could introduce British comedy talent to American audiences. Fouracres joining Meyers is a natural fit considering the host's involvement in getting the British adaptation off the ground. Meyers, who was an SNL cast member and head writer before leaving in 2014, visited the production alongside fellow veteran Tina Fey ahead of its first season, offering advice on its history, format and the demands of its performers. Now things have come full circle, with Fouracres getting his own moment in the American late-night spotlight.
Fouracres quickly became one of the show's most recognizable and dependable faces, playing two consecutive prime ministers in the same year: Sir Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham. His impersonation of Starmer became particularly memorable thanks to the Prime Minister's infamous "meep meep" glitch during PMQs, while his Burnham impression perfected the character's insistence that, as a Northerner, he's just a normal guy. Fouracres has also played national treasure William Shakespeare, complete with his "c—ty little earring," and Sir David Attenborough.
His prominent role across the show's first two seasons is hardly surprising when you look at his previous credits. Like many successful British comedians before him, Fouracres came through the University of Cambridge and its famous Footlights society, where he performed alongside names like Pierre Novellie and Phil Wang. He later joined the revived Spitting Image in 2020, playing Prince Harry among other public figures — a similar experience of performing timely political satire! Fouracres is also a trained Shakespearean actor, having appeared in productions at the Globe Theatre, including The Merry Wives of Windsor, A Comedy of Errors and A Midsummer Night's Dream. More recently, viewers might recognize him from his short appearance as Donnie in the fourth season of Ted Lasso.
A Game-Changing Crossover That Never Happened
Having Fouracres cross over to SNL, much like James Austin Johnson brought his Trump impression to the British version, could introduce a new generation of British comedy talent to an established American audience. With SNL UK available on Peacock in the U.S. the day after its broadcast, that exposure could also encourage American viewers to explore the British show rather than treating it as a separate adaptation.
This could pave the way for more swaps. Larry Dean could bring his King Charles III impression to American SNL, while Ramy Youssef could potentially bring Zohran Mamdani to the British series. Even Marcello Hernández's much-loved Domingo could make an appearance overseas. The potential for shared laughs is endless!
Despite SNL UK's success, it still feels like its American counterpart hasn't fully embraced what the British cast brings to the table. Passing up the perfect opportunity to showcase Fouracres only reinforces that impression. These collaborations would benefit the performers as much as the shows themselves. Exposure to new audiences could help individual cast members build international followings, attract opportunities for live performances and tours, and open doors to other television projects. Although Fouracres didn't leap to the American SNL stage this Halloween, his appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers shows just how much potential there is to introduce British cast members to a wider audience. And with the two shows already sharing talent, it would be a shame not to build on that momentum.
Saturday Night Live and SNL UK air Saturdays on NBC and Sky TV, respectively, with both shows streaming the next day on Peacock.
