Riz Ahmed Hides A Dark Secret As He Goes “Full Method” In ‘Saturday Night Live UK’ Teaser Sketch
Riz Ahmed is hiding a killer secret in the first sketch released from his appearance as host of Saturday Night Live UK.
As the sketch begins, the Bait and Hamlet actor is seen dancing to disco light in his dressing room, as SNL UK cast members George Fouracres and Ayoade Bamgboye enter to say hi. “Sorry about this music guys, I’m just so excited to be presenting with you,” says a hyper Ahmed. “Sweetie?”
Bamgboye happily takes a candy, as Fouracres calls the environment, “A very pleasant atmosphere you’ve created in here,” before he adds, “There’s me thinking you’d be intense!” referring to Ahmed’s reputation as a serious actor.
“Uh, the only time I’m intense… is when I’m camping with my niece and nephew in the summer time,” Ahmed quips back, as his SNL cohorts laugh.
However, the mood changes quickly when Fouracres says they should talk about having both played Hamlet. Ahmed kills the music and claims to have never heard of the famous Shakespeare’s Globe theater.
“You’ve played Hamlet, but you’ve never heard of Shakespeare?” a confused Bamgboye asks Ahmed, as tense music begins over their conversation. “Ummmmm… no. I wasn’t playing Hamlet. I went full method. I became Hamlet,” he responds.
“What, you went on a real life murderous rampage to avenge the death of your father?” says Fouracres.
Ahmed raises his finger to his lips, and with a twisted smile on his face replies, “No,” slamming his small chest of sweets down before Bamgboye can take another. He switches back to party mode, and says, “Can’t wait to make some funnies with you guys,” as he starts dancing again and the sketch comes to an end.
The SNL UK cast comprises Fouracres, Bamgboye, Hammed Animashaun, Larry Dean, Celeste Dring, Ania Magliano, Annabel Marlow, Al Nash, Jack Shep, Emma Sidi and Paddy Young.
Universal Television Alternative Studio’s UK production team and Broadway Video make the show for Sky and Now. Lorne Michaels is executive producing, James Longman is Lead Producer, Liz Clare is Director and Jonno Johnson is Head Writer.
Alongside Johnson, Charlie Skelton serves as Weekend Update Head Writer, with the full list of writers comprising Al Roberts, Ayo Adenekan, Bella Hull, Celya AB, Chris Cantrill, Ellie Fulcher, Gráinne Maguire, Hari Kanth, Humphrey Ker, James Farmer, Joseph Moore, Keith Akushie, Laura Claxton, Lorna Rose Treen, Louis Waymouth, Nathan Foad, Omar Badawy and Omodara Olatunji.
Stath Lets Flats star Jamie Demetriou and British writer James Graham are also consulting, as Deadline revealed yesterday. This morning, Jack Whitehall was named as the next host of SNL UK, before the eight-part show takes a week-long hiatus.
UTAS UK Productions is overseen by Managing Director Helen Kruger Bratt. Shanna Baynard will serve as Executive in Charge of Production; Andy Charles Smith is the Lead Producer for UTAS UK Productions alongside Sam Salter, Production Executive. SNL UK was commissioned by Phil Edgar-Jones, Executive Director of Unscripted Originals and Lisa Clark, Commissioning Executive at Sky, for Cecile Frot-Coutaz, CEO of Sky Studios & Chief Content Officer for Sky.
