Small Prophets trailer: Mackenzie Crook’s Apple TV comedy arrives 7 October – Apple TV has unveiled the trailer for Small Prophets, a six-part comedy created, written and directed by BAFTA Award winner Mackenzie Crook.
The series begins on Apple TV on Wednesday, 7 October, with its first two episodes. A new episode will follow every Wednesday through to 4 November. For Australian viewers, it brings a distinctive British comedy with an acclaimed creative voice to Apple TV’s weekly release slate, rather than arriving as an all-at-once drop.
A search for answers in suburban Manchester
Small Prophets centres on Michael Sleep, played by Pearce Quigley. Seven years after the disappearance of his beloved Clea, Michael lives an unremarkable routine: he works in a DIY store, visits his father Brian and hopes Clea will return.
That routine changes when Brian, played by Sir Michael Palin, shares an old recipe involving rainwater, horse manure and a generous dose of alchemy. Michael sets out to create homunculi — magical spirits said to predict the future — in the hope they can answer the question he cannot let go: will he ever see Clea again?
Michael’s young co-worker Kacey, played by Lauren Patel, becomes an unexpected ally. Their friendship develops partly through a shared dislike of DIY-store manager Gordon, played by Crook. Meanwhile, their nosy neighbours, played by Sophie Willan and Jon Pointing, become increasingly determined to discover what is happening in Michael’s garden shed.
Comedy cast and creative team
Crook and Quigley are joined by Patel, Palin, Willan, Pointing and Paul Kaye. The series was filmed and set in and around Manchester, combining animation with a story about friendship, hope, secrets and the meeting point between the magical and the everyday.
The series arrives with strong early recognition. Its first season won Best Series in the International Panorama at Series Mania in March 2026 and holds a 100 per cent critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Treasure Trove and Blue House Productions produce Small Prophets. Crook and Lisa Thomas executive produce for Treasure Trove Productions, while Christine Gernon and Emma Strain executive produce for Blue House Productions. Apple TV acquired the series from international distributor Sphere Abacus.
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