Before production on Saturday Night Live UK Season 2 has even kicked off, the show is already grappling with a seismic creative shift. Sir Keir Starmer's resignation as Prime Minister means the series can no longer rely on George Fouracres' impression as its central political anchor. With the Labour leadership contest wrapping up on July 16 and SNL UK not returning until September, the show must quickly rebuild its political identity around a new figure—likely Andy Burnham.
Burnham, who has served as Mayor of Greater Manchester for eight years, recently won the Makerfield by-election with nearly 55% of the vote, making him eligible for the Labour leadership. If he becomes Prime Minister, SNL UK could find that one of its supporting impressions from Season 1 suddenly becomes the most important. That impression belongs to Paddy Young, whose brief but memorable turn as Burnham was a highlight of the show's first season.
Paddy Young's Dilemma: Weekend Update Star or Political Anchor?
Young's chemistry with co-anchor Ania Magliano on Weekend Update drew comparisons to a young Jimmy Fallon, and their segment became one of the show's strongest successes. But if Burnham ascends to PM, Young would be pulled in two directions: anchoring Weekend Update and carrying the show's principal political impression. Is that sustainable? British Prime Ministers have come and gone at breakneck speed over the past decade, and Burnham's longevity is unproven. Removing Young from Weekend Update—or reducing his role—to accommodate a potentially short-lived impression would be a major risk.
Could another cast member take over as Burnham? There's precedent: U.S. President Donald Trump has been played by multiple performers on SNL, from Taran Killam to Alec Baldwin to James Austin Johnson. But Burnham's identity is deeply rooted in his Northern background—he's often called the "King of the North." Young is currently the only Northern cast member, and his authenticity adds weight to the impression. Recasting might lose that edge.
Political Satire in a Rapid-Fire Era
Modern British politicians are increasingly hard to satirize because they don't stay in the public eye long enough to develop recognizable quirks. Fouracres told LBC that Starmer's viral "meep meep" moment was a "gift" for Season 1, giving the impression a defining trait. Whoever replaces Starmer will be Britain's seventh PM since 2016, and the constant turnover makes it tough for audiences to connect.
To ease the burden on Young and keep Weekend Update strong, SNL UK could lean into something the American version can't: the British Royal Family. The monarchy offers generations of familiar figures with established personalities. Season 1 already showed promise with Larry Dean's King Charles III, who had the least screen time but delivered strong impressions. Expanding royal sketches could help balance the political load.
As the show navigates this unexpected pivot, fans are watching closely. Will Young stay on Weekend Update, or will the show recast Burnham? One thing's certain: SNL UK's second season is already shaping up to be a high-stakes reinvention.
