Quick answer: Sky’s “Saturday Night Live U.K.” and TLC’s “Mock the Week” return for second seasons in September 2026, signalling renewed investment in British comedy. Prime Video’s “L.O.L: Last One Laughing U.K.” adds a Halloween special in October 2026 and a third season in 2027.
SNL U.K. Season 2 and the second season of TLC’s “Mock the Week” are giving British television comedy fresh momentum. Both shows return in September 2026, part of a renewed push that also includes Prime Video’s “L.O.L: Last One Laughing U.K.” After a difficult decade for sketch shows and sitcoms, comedy is again getting a prominent place in programming plans.
The shift is about more than a pair of returning titles. Broadcasters and streaming services are backing comedy as a way to draw attention to their platforms, with Sky’s “Saturday Night Live U.K.,” TLC’s “Mock the Week” and Prime Video’s “L.O.L” providing three examples of that investment.
Dara Ó Briain sees renewed confidence in comedy
“Mock the Week” host Dara Ó Briain is optimistic about the direction of commissioning. “I definitely do [think comedy commissioning is bouncing back],” he says.
His explanation gets to the heart of why these shows matter beyond their individual runs: “‘L.O.L,’ ‘SNL [U.K.]’ and us are being used to push channels, which is the first time that’s happened in a while.” That puts comedy in a promotional role it has not enjoyed as consistently in recent years.
The returning seasons offer a concrete sign of that confidence. Sky and TLC are continuing with their respective shows, while Prime Video has more “Last One Laughing U.K.” scheduled beyond the current wave of programming.
What is coming next?
“Saturday Night Live U.K.” and TLC’s “Mock the Week” return for their second seasons on the same September weekend. Prime Video’s “L.O.L: Last One Laughing U.K.” follows with a Halloween special in October 2026, before a third season arrives in 2027.
That schedule gives the comedy push several stages rather than a single launch moment. The two September returns are followed by a seasonal special, with another series already on the calendar for the following year.
Why the renewed investment matters
British comedy has a formidable television legacy, from “Monty Python” to “The Office.” Yet that history did not protect sketch shows and sitcoms from falling out of fashion over the past decade.
Shrinking budgets at traditional broadcasters contributed to the slowdown. Streaming services, meanwhile, concentrated on prestige dramas that attracted awards attention, generated headlines and travelled internationally—something comedy can find harder to do.
The latest commitments point to a change in commissioning priorities, rather than proof that every challenge has disappeared. For now, the clearest evidence of renewed confidence is the work being backed: second seasons for “SNL U.K.” and TLC’s “Mock the Week,” plus a Halloween special and a third season for “Last One Laughing U.K.”
Frequently Asked Questions
When do SNL U.K. and Mock the Week return?
Sky’s “Saturday Night Live U.K.” and TLC’s “Mock the Week” return for their second seasons on the same weekend in September 2026.
What is next for Last One Laughing U.K.?
Prime Video’s “L.O.L: Last One Laughing U.K.” has a Halloween special scheduled for October 2026. A third season follows in 2027.
Why did British television comedy face a slowdown?
Sketch shows and sitcoms fell out of fashion partly because traditional broadcasters’ budgets shrank. Streaming services focused on prestige dramas that attracted awards attention and travelled internationally, something comedy can struggle to do.
