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SNL UK Opens With Fictional MI5 ‘29-Year Plan’ Targeting Prince Andrew

The timing follows Andrew’s February arrest on suspicion of misconduct in public office.

Overview

  • SNL UK’s second episode, which aired Saturday, opened with a 1997 MI5 briefing that imagines a 29‑year scheme to lift King Charles III’s image by damaging those around him.
  • In the skit, Jack Shep’s Andrew is told to befriend Jeffrey Epstein and is given the escape code words “Pizza Express Woking,” a nod to his 2019 Newsnight alibi.
  • Larry Dean appears as Peter Mandelson and Emma Sidi as Sarah Ferguson, both portrayed as part of the fabricated operation.
  • Viewers and outlets praised the writing as bold and sharp while others called parts of the portrayal “creepy” or nitpicked details, reflecting split reactions to royal satire.
  • Jamie Dornan hosted the episode as the series continues weekly on Sky and Now TV with U.S. streams on Peacock, and Riz Ahmed is slated to host on April 4.