BBC unveils Small Prophets

FIRST LOOK: Pearce Quigley, Lauren Patel and Michael Palin star in Small Prophets, an upcoming BBC comedy written and directed by Mackenzie Crook (Detectorists).

Quigley stars as eccentric Michael Sleep, whose darling partner Clea disappeared seven years ago. Since then, he has lived a very ordinary life. He eats Shreddies, works in a DIY store, visits his dad Brian (Palin) and hopes for Clea to return.

One day Brian shares an old recipe involving rainwater, horse manure and more than a little alchemy. With recipe in hand, Sleep sets out (albeit with some scepticism) to create Homunculi – magical prophesying spirits that can predict the future.

Sleep gets help from young work mate Kacey (Patel), an unlikely friendship that blossoms partly, but not wholly, through their mutual dislike of store manager Gordon (Mackenzie Crook). Their friendship adds to the frustration and intrigue of his nosy neighbours (Sophie Willan and Jon Pointing) who are obsessed with trying to find out what the hell is going on in the garden shed.

Meanwhile, Roy (Paul Kaye), Clea’s brother, has fallen on hard times. In desperation he has come back into Michael’s life to claim back the family home, convinced that his sister will never return.

Featuring magical animated elements, the six-part series is produced by Gill Isles (Car Share, Alma’s Not Normal), and was filmed in and around Manchester.

It is a Treasure Trove and Blue House production for the BBC. The executive producers are Mackenzie Crook and Lisa Thomas for Treasure Trove Productions, and Christine Gernon and Emma Strain for Blue House Productions. Sphere Abacus is the International Distributor.

The series will launch on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two in early 2026.

tagged in: BBC iPlayer, BBC Two, Mackenzie Crook, Pearce Quigley, Small Prophets, Sphere Abacus