Culture 4 min read By Lauren Baxter
James Austin Johnson Brings Trump to 'SNL U.K.' in Surprise Cold Open
James Austin Johnson made his debut on 'SNL U.K.' as Donald Trump in a cold open that imagined a meeting between U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelenskyy, with Trump questioning whether the British show had anyone who could play him.
James Austin Johnson brought his Donald Trump impression to "SNL U.K." for the first time, appearing in the show's cold open as the American president in a sketch that imagined a diplomatic meeting between U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The sketch, which aired Saturday night, recreated a sit-down between Burnham, played by George Fouracres, and Zelenskyy, played by Freddie Meredith, focused on reaffirming Britain's support for Ukraine in its war with Russia. The conversation turned to a request for American help in restoring Starlink internet service, a moment that set up Johnson's entrance as Trump.
Johnson's Trump arrived as a surprise guest, marking the character's first appearance on the British version of the long-running NBC sketch show. The cold open leaned on the premise of a job swap, placing the American president into a British political setting alongside two leaders whose real-world counterparts have been central to recent international diplomacy.
The sketch also gave Johnson's Trump a line about the show itself, asking why the U.K. production did not have "one guy who can play Trump." The joke played on the idea that the British series had yet to establish its own regular Trump impersonator, with the American cast member stepping in to fill the role.
"SNL U.K." airs on Sky and has become a notable extension of the "Saturday Night Live" franchise, adapting the late-night sketch format for British audiences. The show has drawn attention for its cold opens, which often mix British political figures with international leaders and cultural references.
The appearance by Johnson adds another chapter to the long tradition of "SNL" cast members crossing over into the U.K. version. Johnson has been a featured player on the American show and is known for his impressions of Trump and other political figures, a skill set that translated directly into the British broadcast's format.
The cold open's focus on Burnham and Zelenskyy reflects the way the sketch series uses current events as raw material, blending real diplomatic tensions with comedic exaggeration. By placing Trump in the middle of a conversation about Starlink and military support, the sketch connected American political figures to European concerns in a way designed to land with both British and international viewers.
For "SNL U.K.," the surprise cameo also served as a promotional moment, drawing attention to the show's willingness to import talent from its American parent. The sketch did not require Johnson to appear in studio with the British cast, but his remote-style insertion into the scene gave the cold open its central comedic turn.
The episode's cold open is likely to be discussed among fans of both versions of the show, particularly those who follow political impersonations. Johnson's Trump remains one of the more recognizable impressions in the current "SNL" lineup, and his appearance on the U.K. series extends that character's reach to a new audience.
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