Mackenzie Crook's Small Prophets Arrives on Apple TV After BBC Success
Mackenzie Crook's acclaimed fantasy comedy series "Small Prophets" has made its way to Apple TV following a successful run on the BBC, offering viewers a charming and poignant suburban fairy tale.
Apple TV has made a rare acquisition by bringing Mackenzie Crook's critically acclaimed comedy series "Small Prophets" to its platform, following its initial broadcast on the BBC and a sweeping success at the Series Mania festival. The final episode of the six-part series recently debuted globally, cementing its reputation as one of the most charming television outings of the year.
Created, written, and directed by Crook—best known for his role as Gareth Keenan in the original British version of "The Office"—the fantasy comedy stars Pearce Quigley as Michael Sleep. Michael's life has been defined by grief and monotony ever since his partner Clea vanished without a trace seven years ago. He spends his days working at a DIY hardware store under a nagging boss, played by Crook himself, and visiting his elderly father in a nursing home.
The narrative takes a surreal turn when Michael's father, portrayed by Monty Python legend Michael Palin, shares an ancient recipe for breeding tiny creatures capable of foreseeing the future. Encouraged by this bizarre lore, Michael embarks on the task in hopes of discovering what happened to Clea. Along the way, he finds an unexpected ally in Casey, a young colleague from the hardware store played by Lauren Patel.
At its core, "Small Prophets" succeeds through its delicate writing and Quigley's endearing lead performance. Rather than falling into standard eccentric tropes, Michael emerges as a deeply human, witty, and gentle figure navigating a quiet suburban existence marked by loss. The series constructs a distinct, slightly off-kilter world rich in background details, balancing whimsical fantasy with a poignant exploration of loneliness, human connection, and resilience.
