When Saturday Night Live found itself on the defensive last season, it wasn’t over politics or a risky sketch. Instead, it was a parody that struck a nerve with one of television’s fastest-rising stars. Now, that actress is set to host the UK version, and she's diving headfirst back into the controversy.
In an April 2025 sketch, Saturday Night Live spoofed The White Lotus with "The White Potus." Characters from the HBO series were replaced with President Donald Trump, members of his family and inner circle, and cabinet.
However, SNL chose to have Sarah Sherman play a version of Aimee Lou Wood's character Chelsea that didn't seem to have any place in the Trump universe. Sherman work fake teeth and used an over-the-top accent to parody with British actress.
Wood posted about the sketch on social media, calling it unfair and essentially a case of bullying and body shaming. The star said SNL was punching down at her while the rest of the sketch took on more appropriate targets in the political figures. Ultimately, SNL and cast member Sarah Sherman reached out to Wood to issue an apology.
The actress is set to host Saturday Night Live UK this week, and the show wasted no time addressing the controversy head-on in its first promo. In the clip, Wood arrives on set to an oddly distant cast, all covering their mouths as she enthusiastically talks about moving past “the whole thing in America with the teeth” and starting fresh.
The bit eventually pulls the rug out from under the viewer, playing off expectations in classic Saturday Night Live style. It was a clever way to acknowledge the controversy without dwelling on it. And perhaps more importantly, it's a signal that there’s no lingering bad blood.
Notably, Wood did not appear when her White Lotus co-star Walton Goggins hosted the US version last season. It came shortly after the controversial sketch, and there were also rumors of friction between the two performers.
Having Wood front and center for the UK edition of the franchise is another way to extend an olive branch. It places her in a more familiar comedic environment with an audience that already knows her beyond a single HBO role.
Saturday Night Live could go a step further and given Wood a boost in the form of a cameo. Just last week, SNL icon Jimmy Fallon surprised audiences overseas. The UK version hasn't been shy about bringing in familiar faces to help the first season generate buzz. Hopefully, something special is planned for Wood, too.
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