A new BBC comedy about would-be magicians and occultists in suburban Manchester is set to become one of the most anticipated shows of 2026. Brann vs Rangers delivered a humbling European lesson for the Scottish champions. Small Prophets promises to deliver laughter and magical wonder instead [citation:1].
The six-part series, created, written and directed by BAFTA-winner Mackenzie Crook, brings together an extraordinary ensemble cast. Sir Michael Palin stars alongside Crook and a host of Northern talent. The show blends live-action with stunning animation to tell a story of friendship, hope and the search for answers [citation:1].
What is Small Prophets About?
Small Prophets follows Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley), a man living a very ordinary life in a Manchester suburb. He eats Shreddies, works in a DIY store, visits his dad Brian and hopes for the return of his girlfriend Clea, who disappeared seven years ago [citation:1].
Everything changes when his dad Brian shares an old recipe involving rainwater, horse manure and a bit of alchemy. Michael sets out to create Homunculi – magical prophesying spirits that can predict the future. He hopes they have the answer to his burning question: “Will I ever see Clea again?” [citation:6].
Michael gets help from his young workmate Kacey (Lauren Patel). Their unlikely friendship blossoms partly through their mutual dislike of store manager Gordon, played by Crook himself. Meanwhile, nosy neighbours Bev and Clive (Sophie Willan and Jon Pointing) are obsessed with finding out what is happening in the garden shed [citation:1].
The Main Cast of Small Prophets
The series features an impressive ensemble of British talent. Here is the full main cast [citation:8]:
Pearce Quigley as Michael Sleep
The lead role of Michael Sleep is played by Pearce Quigley. He is known for his work in Detectorists and The Office. Crook revealed that the script for Small Prophets had been in development for nearly a decade. The idea only crystallised when he realised Quigley would play the lead [citation:6].
Sir Michael Palin as Brian Sleep
The legendary Monty Python star plays Michael’s father Brian. Palin brings decades of comedy experience to the role. His character introduces Michael to the ancient alchemical recipe that sets the story in motion [citation:1].
Mackenzie Crook as Gordon
Crook not only writes and directs the series but also appears on screen as Gordon, the store manager whom Michael and Kacey mutually dislike [citation:1]. Crook is best known for playing Gareth in The Office, Orell in Game of Thrones and creating and starring in Detectorists.
Lauren Patel as Kacey
Lauren Patel plays Kacey, Michael’s young workmate and unlikely friend. Patel recently voiced PC Mukherjee in the Wallace and Gromit film. She said filming in Manchester was special, as it allowed her to work alongside Northern talent in her hometown [citation:6].
Sophie Willan as Bev
The BAFTA-winning comedian and actress plays Bev, one of Michael’s nosy neighbours who is obsessed with discovering what is happening in the garden shed [citation:1].
Jon Pointing as Clive
Jon Pointing plays Bev’s husband Clive. The pair together form the nosy neighbour duo who add to Michael’s frustration and intrigue [citation:1]. Pointing is known for his work in Big Boys and Plebs.
Paul Kaye as Roy
Paul Kaye, known for his roles in Game of Thrones and After Life, appears as Roy. His character adds to the colourful ensemble of suburban Manchester [citation:4].
Full Cast List
The complete cast of Small Prophets includes [citation:8]:
- Pearce Quigley as Michael Sleep
- Mackenzie Crook as Gordon
- Sir Michael Palin as Brian Sleep
- Paul Kaye as Roy
- Jon Pointing as Clive
- Sophie Willan as Bev
- Lauren Patel as Kacey
- Adam Wright as Elliot
- Ed Kear as Brigham
- Charlotte Mills as Hilary
- Shola Adewusi as Olive
- Howard Gossington as Bob
- Kathryn Drysdale as Bea
- Kevin Sutton as Constable Paul Sergeant
- Rhiannon Clements as Professor Drinkwater
- Ade Ajibade as Constable Juliet Bravo
- Liv Taylor as Trish
- Riana Duce as Kaitlin Thorncroft
- Andrea Kovacs as Mrs. Stewart
- Kieran Mortell as Rupert
- Arnold Baksi as Stevo
Animation and Visual Style
The series incorporates visually stunning animation throughout. The animated elements bring the magic to life as Michael creates his Homunculi prophesying spirits. The blend of live-action and animation weaves together the magical and the mundane [citation:1].
Filming Locations
Small Prophets was filmed in and around Greater Manchester, specifically in Urmston and Stockport [citation:6]. Crook joked that he was guaranteed “seven weeks of glorious unbroken sunshine” during filming. Local residents embraced the production, with one describing the surreal experience of seeing manure delivered and actors pretending to be drunk outside her home [citation:6].
Release Date and Where to Watch
Small Prophets premieres on BBC Two at 22:00 GMT on Monday, 9 February 2026 [citation:6]. All episodes will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer after broadcast.
Behind the Scenes
The series is produced by BAFTA-winning Gill Isles, known for Car Share and Alma’s Not Normal, from Treasure Trove Productions and Blue House Productions [citation:1]. Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy, said: “BBC viewers are in for a treat with BAFTA winner Mackenzie Crook’s Small Prophets. This magical comedy series brims with wit and wonder… It’s British comedy at its finest” [citation:1].
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is in the cast of Small Prophets? The main cast includes Pearce Quigley as Michael Sleep, Sir Michael Palin as Brian Sleep, Mackenzie Crook as Gordon, Lauren Patel as Kacey, Sophie Willan as Bev, Jon Pointing as Clive and Paul Kaye as Roy.
When is Small Prophets released? Small Prophets premieres on Monday, 9 February 2026 at 22:00 GMT on BBC Two. It will also be available on BBC iPlayer.
What is Small Prophets about? The series follows Michael Sleep, a man who tries to create prophesying spirits using an ancient alchemical recipe in the hope of finding out what happened to his missing girlfriend.
Who wrote Small Prophets? Mackenzie Crook created, wrote and directed the series. He also appears in the cast as Gordon, the store manager.
Where was Small Prophets filmed? The series was filmed in and around Greater Manchester, specifically in Urmston and Stockport.
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