Nick Mohammed: SNL UK is the Best Thing for British Comedy Since The Office
After two decades in the entertainment industry, Nick Mohammed has become a household name, largely thanks to his stint on Celebrity Traitors. The actor and comedian is now set to host the Olivier Awards, the most prestigious night in theatre. In an exclusive interview, Mohammed opens up about his hesitance to step into the spotlight as himself, his commitment to ethical comedy, and his excitement for the new SNL UK.
From Celebrity Traitors to the Olivier Awards
Mohammed believes that his performance on Celebrity Traitors was instrumental in landing the gig hosting the Oliviers. "I'm sure Celebrity Traitors is one of the biggest, if not the single reason I'm getting to host the Oliviers," he admits. "I could have gone out on day one or two, and then I probably wouldn't be doing it." He takes over from previous hosts like Beverley Knight, Billy Porter, and his Ted Lasso co-star Hannah Waddingham.
This year's ceremony holds special significance as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Olivier Awards and will be televised on the BBC for the first time since 2003. Despite the increased pressure, Mohammed feels confident. "Of all those ceremonies, it's a nice one, because I think the theatre industry is more wholesome. Film and television ones tend to be a little bit more competitive," he explains.
Overcoming Nerves and Preserving Mystery
Mohammed has historically shied away from appearing as himself on screen, preferring to hide behind characters like his long-running comedy persona, Mr Swallow. He even dressed in full vampire regalia for his segments on Taskmaster due to nerves. However, Celebrity Traitors marked a turning point. "It was the first thing I'd ever done without hiding behind a character," he notes.
His reluctance stems from a desire to maintain privacy and preserve the craft of acting. "I'm relatively private as a person, and I think it was the desire not to give too much of myself away. If you know too much about a person, sometimes when you see them in a role, you're like, 'I can still see that person in there,'" he says. He acknowledges the modern pressure for actors to build social media followings, calling it "a mess" but understanding the business rationale behind it.
Ethical Comedy and Punching Down
In an era where some comedians target marginalised groups for laughs, Mohammed firmly rejects such tactics. "I try to come at it from a pragmatic level. First of all, is that an original take on that topic or a punch-down? The majority of the time, it's just an obvious, easy joke," he states. He emphasises that there is no grey area when it comes to offensive material. "Everyone's kidding themselves as to whether there's a grey area; there is not – it's just about whether you want to be a decent human being."
On the timing of sensitive jokes, he agrees that "too soon" is a valid concern. "If it happened two weeks ago or last year, it's probably not fine. Four hundred years later? Absolutely," he quips, using the example of the musical Six about Henry VIII's wives.
SNL UK: A Game-Changer for British Comedy
Mohammed is effusive in his praise for the newly launched SNL UK, which debuted last month after 50 years of the US original. "I think it's the best thing to have happened in British comedy since The Office. I honestly believe that," he declares. He recalls that in his early career, many production companies wanted to emulate Saturday Night Live but lacked the courage to execute it properly. "To be cynical about it, it's a shame that it's taken Americans to come in with a format and say, 'Just do it like that.' But I think they've nailed it."
Looking Ahead: Diverse Roles and Future Projects
With his profile elevated, Mohammed is exploring various avenues in entertainment. He continues to tour with his Mr Swallow character and has rejected podcast offers for the persona, though he would love a traditional BBC sitcom for it. He is also set to co-star alongside James McAvoy and Julianne Moore in the action film Cover. While he remains tight-lipped about a potential return for the fourth season of Ted Lasso, his Hollywood career is clearly on the rise.
Mohammed values versatility in his career. "It bothers me when I see actors who do one thing. They often do it brilliantly, but then I'm like, 'Well, alright.' My gimmick then has to be range," he says. This approach has served him well, from his roles in sitcoms like Miranda and Intelligence to his breakout performance in Ted Lasso.
The Olivier Awards 2026 will air on Sunday, 12 April, on BBC Two at 7pm, with Nick Mohammed at the helm, bringing his unique blend of humour and humility to one of theatre's most celebrated nights.
