Kiwi comedian Joseph Moore lands dream role on new Saturday Night Live UK

Based in London, Moore is one of 20 writers the show has hired for its launch on March 21.

In a show bio, Moore is described as a “New Zealand-born comedian, writer and director known for Funny Girls, Jono & Ben, Taskmaster NZ / Australia and Guy Montgomery’s Guy-Mont Spelling Bee“.

Moore performs in musical-comedy duo Two Hearts, with his writing partner Laura Daniel, whom he married in 2022.

The SNLUK writing team includes Al Roberts, Ayo Adenekan, Bella Hull, Celya AB, Charlie Skelton, Chris Cantrill, Ellie Fulcher, Gráinne Maguire, Hari Kanth, Humphrey Ker, James Farmer, Jonno Johnson, Joseph Moore, Keith Akushie, Laura Claxton, Lorna Rose Treen, Louis Waymouth, Nathan Foad, Omar Badawy, and Omodara Olatunji. Photo / Sky

An alumnus of sketch comedy troupe Snort, Moore is also the previous host of clip show Fail Army, which he presented alongside Guy Montgomery.

Moore has twice been nominated for the Billy T Award, once as a solo act and once with Two Hearts. Two Hearts were also nominated for the Fred Award for Best Show at the 2021 New Zealand International Comedy Festival.

Joseph Moore stars in musical comedy group Two Hearts with Laura Daniel.

Actor Madeleine Sami was among those offering congratulations, commenting, “Yusssss Geddit Joey!!!”

Sami is directing The Sanctuary, an eight-part comedy TV series written by Moore and Laura Daniel. The show stars American actor Adam Pally as an eccentric American billionaire hiding from the law in New Zealand.

Plans for a British version of SNL were confirmed in April last year, with the first season to feature six episodes. Produced by SNL creator Lorne Michaels, the British spin-off will follow the original’s format – with the celebrity-hosted opening monologue, live music and topical sketches.

According to the Sun, the debut episode of the show will be hosted by Tina Fey, an alum of the American show.