SNL U.K. Ratings Dip as Jamie Dornan Hosts Second Episode
SNL U.K. Ratings Dip as Jamie Dornan Hosts Second Episode
Jamie Dornan hosts SNL U.K.'s second episode, but viewership slips from the premiere as the show tackles topical Satire with bold jokes.
Jamie Dornan took the reins for the second episode of SNL U.K., but ratings slipped again, drawing 205,000 viewers versus 226,000 for the debut. The episode opened with a sketch about Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor (formerly Prince Andrew) and the Epstein scandal, continuing the show's habit of topical parodies in a London-based format. Dornan, known for Fifty Shades and Belfast, stepped in after Tina Fey and leaned into the show's signature bold, offbeat energy.
In his monologue, Dornan revealed a quirky obsession with collecting rocks that look like potatoes, joking, “This isn’t a joke. God knows, I wish it was,” as he poked fun at self and career milestones. The cold open revisited Prince Andrew’s Epstein ties, framing it as a ‘29-year plan’ by MI5 to boost King Charles’s likability—a continuation of the premiere’s Diana-sketch territory and a reminder of the show’s willingness to push controversial topics.
Taken together, the ratings dip raises questions about momentum for SNL U.K. as it seeks to carve out a distinct voice in late-night satire. The London-based show appears committed to high-risk humor, but audience appetite and performance metrics will shape how the series moves forward with future hosts and sketches.
