Jamie Dornan, host of the second episode of Saturday Night Live UK, initially doubted he could perform the show's dark hostage sketch after reading the cue cards for the first time, producers revealed at the Edinburgh TV Festival.
The 44-year-old actor, known for 50 Shades of Grey and The Fall, took on hosting duties for episode two of the Sky sketch show, which launched this year 51 years after the original American series. Tina Fey had hosted the opening episode a week earlier.
Producers reveal tense moment
Lead producer James Longman, speaking at a panel talk attended by Metro, explained that the pivotal moment occurred when Dornan was reading the hostage skit for the first time.
'Every host we had for season one took a chance on us. Eternally grateful for all of them,' James began. 'And Jamie Dornan, when he did that, that was the first time he was on stage for the hostage sketch. He was reading cue cards for the first time, and he was like, "I'm not sure I can do this show." He was terrified by it, and then by Saturday night, he absolutely nailed it and loved it. It was brilliant. The hosts go at times. "What the f*** am I doing here?"'
Philip Edgar-Jones, executive director of unscripted originals at Sky UK, added: 'The cast are so wonderful, wrapping their arms around the host, really giving them a safe space to shine.'
The hostage sketch
In the sketch, Dornan plays a kidnapper who has taken SNL UK cast member Annabel Marlow's character, Amy, hostage. He speaks into a digital camera, warning he'll harm or even kill Amy if her boyfriend doesn't hand over £250,000 in cash. The problem is that Amy is mortified at the idea of the guy she's seeing – Henry – knowing she's referring to him as her boyfriend, as they haven't established what their relationship is.
'It would literally kill me if he knew I was referring to him as my boyfriend,' she admits, asking her kidnapper for advice about what they should say when they contact her situationship. 'Listen, when I was watching you both through the tiny crack in the wardrobe door…' the kidnapper tells Amy, before squealing: 'I thought you looked really comfortable together!'
Henry sends back a video explaining he wants to stay single and won't be sending any money, revealing he's getting with another woman. Amy eventually grabs the gun and escapes, admitting she'll probably go back to her toxic non-boyfriend despite her kidnapper's pleas.
Fan reaction and Dornan's reflection
The hostage sketch has more than a million views on YouTube. A fan called pamlang1725 commented: 'Jamie knocked it outta the park!' Another, ermeeleer, remarked: 'Jamie Dornan is like Alexander Skarsgård, the type of actor who looks really intense and brooding but they're really funny and goofy irl. Please put them in more comedies.'
Speaking previously to Esquire about his time on SNL UK, Dornan said: 'It was the most stressful week of my life but ultimately really rewarding. As soon as I admitted to the cast how scared I was – and they told me how scared they were – it was much easier.' He explained that the moment he knew it would be okay was during the dress rehearsal for a live audience, and they were entertained. 'And then you get an audience and it's a totally different experience. They're laughing and you feed off it; it becomes fizzy and exciting. I mean, it's two hours before the show, but I was like, "Oh right, okay, it's going to be okay. It's funny,"' he recalled.
Saturday Night Live UK returns on Saturday September 12 on Sky and NOW.
