The second season of SNL UK debuted on September 12, 2026, sparking immediate debate over its “cold open” sketch that lampooned Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. While some tabloid critics labeled the portrayal as the “final nail in the coffin” for the British adaptation of the long-running American variety show, internal data suggests the series is finding a massive audience despite the controversy.
The premiere, hosted by Hollywood veteran Jeff Goldblum with musical guest CMAT, focused its opening minutes on the Sussexes’ reported relocation to the UK in late 2026. Actors Jack Shep and Ayoade Bamgboye stepped into the roles of Harry and Meghan, depicting the couple navigating their new lives in the Cotswolds. The sketch leaned heavily into recent headlines, with King Charles’ character pointedly asking the couple if they had already exhausted their $60 million Netflix contract.
The parody also took aim at the Duchess’s lifestyle brand ventures. In one segment, the character of Meghan presented Queen Camilla with a block of “homemade ice,” a nod to the “With Love, Meghan” brand. Critics of the show described the humor as “excruciating,” fueling reports that the spinoff might be in jeopardy. However, the commercial reality for Sky One tells a different story. The Season 2 premiere drew approximately 627,000 viewers, a significant surge compared to the usual time-slot average of 79,000.
Despite the “final nail” rhetoric circulating in social media circles, the network has already committed to a full 12-episode run for the second season. The show’s ability to generate viral conversation—even if polarizing—appears to be a key driver in its renewal. This success comes as the real-world Sussexes navigate a complex return to British soil; reports earlier this month suggested King Charles issued a formal clarification that the couple would not be returning to official working royal duties, providing ample material for the SNL UK writers’ room.
The upcoming weeks will see the show attempt to maintain its momentum with a diverse lineup of talent. Following Goldblum’s opening stint, Jamie Demetriou is scheduled to host on September 19, followed by Chicken Shop Date creator Amelia Dimoldenberg on September 26. As the series moves forward, it remains to be seen if it will continue to lean into royal satire or shift focus to other areas of British culture that have fueled its early ratings wins.
