Crook is creator, writer, director and exec producer on the six-part mystical, comic tale

Mackenzie Crook is filming new BBC series Small Prophets (w/t) in and around Manchester.

Crook is creator/writer/director on the show, that incorporates animated elements; it comes from his company Treasure Trove Productions and Blue House Productions. Gill Isles produces for the latter.

The comic tale follows eccentric Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) who, since his darling Clea disappeared seven years ago, has lived a very ordinary life. He eats Shreddies, works in a DIY store, visits dad Brian (played by Michael Palin) and hopes for Clea to return.

One day, dad Brian shares an old recipe involving rainwater and horse manure, with which Michael sceptically sets out to summon to create Homunculi – magical prophesying spirits that can predict the future – in the hope they will have the answer to his burning question, ‘will I ever see Clea again?’

Crook, Lauren Patel, Sophie Willan and Jon Pointing are among the supporting cast.

Crook said: “Like all my best ideas, this one has been percolating for nearly a decade and is finally ready to see the light of day. It’s wonderful to be working again with my friends Gill Isles and Pearce Quigley and to realise a long-term ambition of collaborating with animators Ainslie Henderson and Will Anderson.”

Isles added: “I’m absolute thrilled to be working with Mackenzie again on such a funny, beautiful and unique show.”

Small Prophets (w/t) has been commissioned by BBC director of comedy Jon Petrie. The executive producers are Crook and Lisa Thomas for Treasure Trove Productions and Christine Gernon and Emma Strain for Blue House Productions. The commissioning editor for the BBC is Emma Lawson. Sphere Abacus is the international distributor.

The show was announced as part of a major BBC comedy commissioning slate of 10 shows, some new and some returning, including Bill’s Included with Rob Brydon and the return of The Young Offenders.

Speaking at the BBC Comedy Festival in Belfast, Petrie and Eddie Doyle, senior head content commissioning BBC Northern Ireland, also announced over half a million pounds of additional, year-long funding for brand new comedy.

The money will be ringfenced exclusively for production spend on new comedy in Northern Ireland for 2025/2026.