Created, written and directed by BAFTA-winner Mackenzie Crook (Detectorists, Worzel Gummidge), Small Prophets is a brand-new comic tale following Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley – The Gentleman, Detectorists) a man set adrift since the mysterious disappearance of his girlfriend Clea seven years ago.
When his father Brian (Sir Michael Palin – Monty Python, Time Bandits) recalls an ancient alchemic recipe, Michael decides to take a chance on uncovering the truth by creating Homunculi – magical, prophesying spirits that can predict the future. With help from his friend Kacey (Lauren Patel – Everybody’s Talking About Jamie) he grows the creatures in his shed, hoping that they’ll answer his burning question: will he ever see Clea again? But as the Homunculi come to life, they trigger a strange series of events.
Produced by BAFTA-winner Gill Isles (Gavin & Stacey, Alma’s Not Normal) and incorporating stunning stop-motion animation by BAFTA-winners Ainslie Henderson and Will Anderson, this is a story of friendships and hope, the mystical and the mundane, where secrets and lies lurk in a suburban cul-de-sac.
**Screener files are 99% final cuts, final adjustments still to be made.**
PRESS ARTICLES
RADIO TIMES - I'm Mackenzie Crook, and this is the 16th-century inspiration for my new comedy Small Prophets – and how we brought it to life
THE TIMES - Mackenzie Crook and Michael Palin: TV’s loveliest double act
THE GUARDIAN - Mackenzie Crook on comedy, cruelty and being TV royalty
RADIO TIMES - The Office icon's new comedy series Small Prophets confirms release date
THE GUARDIAN - One of ‘The 50 best TV shows to watch this autumn’
DRAMA QUARTERLY - Mackenzie Crook joins producer Gill Isles to outline the “gentle” new comedy
THE HERALD - Images of Sir Michael Palin and Mackenzie Crook’s new comedy released
BBC - New on-set photos released for Mackenzie Crook's much-anticipated Small Prophets
DEADLINE - Mackenzie Crook Talks Big Ambitions For ‘Small Prophets’
BROADCAST - Small Prophets has been selected as a MIPCOM hot pick
C21 - Mackenzie Crook and Gill Isles size up Small Prophets
**** [Four Stars]
TV TIMES
**** [Four Stars]
HEAT
"Mackenzie Crook has carved out a niche as a writer, director and all-round creator of great TV in his own right."
THE YORKSHIRE POST
"There aren’t many British sitcoms that lean into the fantastical, but Small Prophets most definitely does - and it’s all the better and crazier for it."
TV CHOICE
"Magical... spellbinding... heart-warming... pick of the week... an all star cast is set to lift your spirits."
NEW
"Effortlessly switches between melancholy and mirth."
TV TIMES
"If you like your comedies gentle, charming, subtle, a bit weird and a tad melancholy, this is for you."
HEAT
"Sir Michael Palin has been coaxed out of retirement by the one writer he could not say no to, Mackenzie Crook."
DAILY EXPRESS
"A deeply human story."
RADIO TIMES
"Gentle & life-affirming."
THE TIMES
"Boasts a stellar cast."
BELLA
"There's a touch of magic in Mackenzie Crook's new comedy."
BELLA
"A crack comedy cast."
THE TIMES
"The 10 best TV shows to watch in February 2026."
THE TIMES
"Must-see."
THE GUARDIAN
"One you won’t want to miss"
THE DAILY EXPRESS
"One of the best new shows coming in 2026."
THE TIMES
"Best series to watch in 2026."
Drama Quarterly
"Pearce Quigley stars in Mackenzie Crook's colourful, comic fantasy."
TV & SATELLITE WEEK
"Want to know what's going to be big in TV in 2026? Look for these shows."
SYDNEY MORNING HERALD