When James Austin Johnson popped up as Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live UK last weekend, it wasn't just a cheeky cameo—it was a signal that the British spinoff is ready to play in the same sandbox as its American parent. During the October 17 episode hosted by James Norton, Johnson's spot-on Trump impression crashed the UK cold open, which starred George Fouracres as Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Freddie Meredith as Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. While Trump had been referenced on SNL UK before—Paddy Young voiced him over the phone in the season premiere's sketch about a difficult call—this marked the first time the character actually appeared in the flesh.
Rather than auditioning a new impersonator, the British series imported the actor who's been playing Trump on American SNL since 2021. That choice felt less like a stunt and more like a genuine partnership, opening the door for future crossovers that could boost the entire franchise's viewership. It's a smart move, especially as SNL UK continues to carve out its own identity while nodding to the original's legacy.
An American Comedy Staple Gets a British Twist
Johnson took over the Trump impression from Alec Baldwin in 2021, becoming the sixth performer to tackle the role on SNL. His take captures Trump's distinctive mannerisms, speech patterns, and wild exaggerations. As Johnson told USA Today, he plays the president's ability to be funny, "intentionally or otherwise," which he calls an unexpectedly "powerful" quality.
That blend worked brilliantly in the UK cold open. Burnham and Zelenskyy meet at Downing Street to reaffirm support for Ukraine, discussing new missiles delivered by the notoriously unreliable courier Evri and Zelenskyy's plea for America's Starlink to be restored—admitting it would also help him stream The Celebrity Traitors. When Burnham mentions Trump, the president appears with a Beetlejuice-style entrance: "You say my name, and I appear." Johnson then adapts the character to his new surroundings, riffing on Manchester City's financial rule-breaking (he'd rather visit "Lady City"), a fatal tiger attack at a Yorkshire wildlife park ("I'm team tiger guy. I like all orange predators"), and even Marks & Spencer's Percy Pig sweets.
Why Johnson's Trump Works So Well on 'SNL UK'
These aren't just random British references to win over the audience. Johnson filters local news and culture through Trump's self-absorbed personality, making everything about him. His absurd confidence makes the jokes land harder because he treats every topic as if it exists to serve him. The sketch even nods to real-world events where Trump shared AI videos of himself wrestling a tiger.
The exchange with Freddie Meredith is particularly sharp. Trump questions why SNL UK doesn't have its own Trump impersonator, despite the cast's training at RADA, dismissing the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art as the "Royal Academy of Dogshit Actors." The joke acknowledges the crossover while capturing Trump's habit of trashing established institutions. By addressing Meredith directly, Johnson blurs the line between performer and character, making his Trump feel even more authentic. Breaking the sketch's rules feels entirely in character for someone who's spent years ignoring political conventions.
There's also a practical reason this works. SNL UK already has strong impressions of British political and royal figures, from Fouracres' Burnham to Larry Dean's King Charles III. Asking someone else to take on Trump would invite comparisons with Johnson's well-known portrayal and distract from the show's own strengths. Bringing Johnson over sidesteps that issue while letting the British cast focus on what they do best.
A Crossover That Could Lead to Bigger Things
Johnson's appearance suggests SNL UK doesn't need to distance itself from the American original to establish its own voice. It can borrow from the mothership while adapting familiar characters to British stories and sensibilities. The episode also highlighted the contrast during Weekend Update, where Ania Magliano delivered a searing response to Shane Gillis' controversial monologue on American SNL the previous week. Johnson's cameo showed what the two shows can achieve together, while Magliano's commentary proved the British version isn't afraid to take risks and develop its own identity.
Weekend Update itself could be ripe for a crossover. Magliano and Paddy Young's segments have become some of SNL UK's most shared moments online, often compared to Colin Jost and Michael Che's desk on the American show. A playful exchange between the two pairs could highlight their different approaches to politics and comedy, especially given the British show's freedom to use language that American network TV must avoid. For a crossover built around an established character, King Charles III seems like a particularly fun candidate for the American show—Larry Dean's impression is spot-on and full of comic potential.
As SNL UK continues to find its footing, collaborations like this could become a regular treat for fans on both sides of the pond. Whether it's Trump popping up in London or a British royal visiting New York, the possibilities are endless—and that's exciting for anyone who loves political satire.
