From Cambridge Footlights to Saturday Night Live UK: The Rise of Ania Magliano
In short: Born in 1998, Ania Magliano has rapidly ascended the British comedy scene. From founding a comedy collective at Cambridge to anchoring Weekend Update on Sky One, her career is defined by sharp wit and a consistent presence at the Edinburgh Fringe. Discover the trajectory of this rising comedic talent.
Ania Nicola Magliano-Wright, born on 17 February 1998, grew up in Buckinghamshire with a background of Polish and Italian heritage. Her academic path led her to Girton College, Cambridge, where she read English and became an active member of the renowned Cambridge Footlights. During her time at university, she demonstrated early leadership in the industry by founding Stockings Comedy, a collective dedicated to female and non-binary performers.
Her professional breakthrough began with recognition in prestigious comedy circuits. In 2018, she was a finalist for the Chortle Student Comedy Award, followed by a Funny Women award nomination in 2020. Her debut show, Absolutely No Worries If Not, secured the Best New Show award at the 2022 Leicester Comedy Festival. This success translated to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where she garnered critical acclaim from major publications including The Guardian and The Times. She continued this momentum with her 2023 show, I Can't Believe You've Done This, which earned a Best Show nomination at the Edinburgh Fringe.
Magliano’s versatility extends across various media, including writing for Amelia Dimoldenberg’s Chicken Shop Date and appearing on numerous podcasts and television programs like The Stand Up Sketch Show. In 2025, she competed in series 20 of Taskmaster, ultimately placing second after a tiebreaker challenge. By February 2026, she was announced as a cast member for the inaugural season of Saturday Night Live UK on Sky One. Serving as an anchor for the Weekend Update segment alongside Paddy Young, she has solidified her role in the series, returning for its second season in September 2026 following her second appearance at the Edinburgh Fringe that summer.
Opens the Intellect+ feed with this card first. Swipe up for the next one.
Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Ania Magliano
To cite this card, link to https://intellectplus.co.uk/app/culture-ania-magliano.
How we source, check and correct cards: Editorial standards.
General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.
Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?
Related
More in UK & Irish culture · More in Cultures · Latest · A–Z · All topics
