Small Prophets


Small Prophets is an upcoming British sitcom created, written and directed by Mackenzie Crook. Set in and around Manchester, it stars Pearce Quigley as a man who turns to alchemy and homunculi in an attempt to learn what happened after his girlfriend disappeared, with the cast also including Crook, Sir Michael Palin, Lauren Patel, Sophie Willan and Jon Pointing. It is scheduled to premiere on BBC Two on 9 February 2026.

Premise

Set in Manchester, Michael Sleep is still struggling after his girlfriend, Clea, vanished seven years earlier. After receiving an alchemical recipe to create homunculi, he uses their prophecies to search for answers about whether he will ever see her again. As he pursues this, he is helped by a colleague, hindered by their unpopular boss, and drawn into conflict with nosy neighbours who become suspicious of what he is doing in his shed.

Cast and characters

  • Pearce Quigley as Michael Sleep
  • Mackenzie Crook as Gordon
  • Sir Michael Palin as Brian
  • Paul Kaye as Roy
  • Lauren Patel as Kacey
  • Sophie Willan as Bev
  • Jon Pointing as Clive

    Production

In May 2025, the BBC commissioned the six-part sitcom Small Prophets, created, written and directed by Mackenzie Crook. The series is produced by Treasure Trove, Blue House and Hot Olives Productions, with Gill Isles as producer, and Crook serving as an executive producer alongside Lisa Thomas, Christine Gernon, and Emma Strain. The series includes animation by Ainslie Henderson and Will Anderson. It was filmed in and around Manchester.

Release

It is scheduled to premiere on BBC Two on 9 February 2026, with new episodes airing weekly.