Jamie Dornan has poked fun at long-running James Bond rumours in a new teaser for this weekend’s episode of Saturday Night Live UK, where he will co-host alongside indie band Wolf Alice.
The sketch, released ahead of Saturday night’s show, sees the Fifty Shades of Grey star rehearsing his opening monologue when cast members interrupt – only for things to quickly take a turn towards the ever-present Bond speculation surrounding the actor.
During the clip, cast member Al Nash reveals he’s awaiting a call about the iconic 007 role, claiming he’s down to the final two candidates alongside Jacob Elordi.
Dornan, visibly deflated, admits he had also been in the running for the part, leaning into the long-standing fan chatter linking him to the franchise.
What follows is a tongue-in-cheek “Bond-off”, with both actors delivering their take on the famous introduction. Dornan plays it straight with a classic, serious tone, while Nash’s version is deliberately offbeat – prompting Dornan to joke that it sounds like Kermit the Frog.
Speculation around the next James Bond has been relentless in recent years, with a wide range of high-profile names linked to the role following Daniel Craig’s departure after No Time to Die.
Among the most frequently mentioned is Aaron Taylor-Johnson, who has reportedly impressed producers and remains a strong frontrunner in bookmaker odds.
Henry Cavill is another fan favourite, having previously auditioned for Bond before losing out to Craig, while Idris Elba has long been a popular choice among audiences, despite repeatedly downplaying the rumours himself.
Elsewhere, younger contenders like Jacob Elordi, Barry Keoghan, Callum Turner and Paul Mescal have been floated as potential fresh takes on the iconic spy, reflecting a possible shift towards a new generation.
Actors such as Richard Madden and Regé-Jean Page have also been consistently linked, thanks to their blend of charisma and screen presence.
While producers have kept tight-lipped about the final decision, the sheer range of names in the mix highlights just how closely watched – and hotly debated – the future of the Bond franchise remains.
This fresh teaser is part of the build-up to the second episode of Saturday Night Live UK, which airs this Saturday at 10pm on Sky and NOW, with the show also available in the US via Peacock the following day.
Each 75-minute live episode follows the familiar format of its American counterpart, featuring sketches performed in front of a studio audience, a host-led monologue, live music, and a UK spin on the “Weekend Update” segment.
Dornan’s appearance comes just a week after the series debuted with Tina Fey as its first host, and follows Sky’s decision to extend the show’s run from six to eight episodes after its initial launch.
Early reactions to the British spin-off have been mixed but largely encouraging.
The Guardian further suggested that "it could have been a lot, lot worse" as well as "a lot better", adding: "But it is likely to become so as the team and the audience settle in over the coming weeks and we might see some recurring characters and start to build a rhythm and rapport with the show."
"What SNL UK’s opening episode does demonstrate is a willingness to push the envelope, to risk bad taste," wrote The Independent. "Borrowing a beloved American format might feel a bit stale, but there are notes of new ingredients that could offer something fresh."
However, Deadline was less positive in their verdict, suggesting it was "painful" and "seriously unfunny".
Looking ahead, the following episode will be hosted by Riz Ahmed, joined by musical guests Kasabian, as the show continues to build momentum.
For now, all eyes are on Dornan – and whether he brings the same self-aware humour from the teaser to Saturday night’s live show.
