Mackenzie Crook is laying out a bold pathway for Small Prophets, aiming for a three‑season arc that could unfold beyond the first batch of episodes. The BBC comedy marks his return to acting on TV, though Pearce Quigley steps into the lead role. The ensemble also features Michael Palin as Quigley’s father on screen, with Lauren Patel, Sophie Willan, and Jon Pointing in supporting parts.
A blend of whimsy, craft, and animation
The series sits in a Manchester suburb, mixing everyday life with uncanny, magical moments and a stop‑motion look. Crook produces through Treasure Trove Productions in collaboration with Blue House Productions, with Gill Isles directing development and overseeing the animation work by Ainslie Henderson and Will Anderson. Sphere Abacus handles international distribution as Crook and Isles head to Cannes to meet buyers.
Origins, tone, and performances
The concept grew from a medieval alchemist’s idea about prophetic spirits, something Crook has held onto for years. He built the show around Pearce Quigley in the central role, then assembled a strong cast and a distinctive animation approach. Crook describes the mood as a gentle, melancholic comedy, anchored by Quigley’s timing and Palin’s experience.
Beyond the first run and the Paper
He envisions three seasons, with the initial run ending on a tease that invites continuation and the story resolving by season three. Crook says TV is his preferred medium, especially with the BBC, where a show can endure in the national imagination. He also weighs in on The Paper, the US spin‑off of The Office, noting he didn’t fully engage with it but admires Tim Key and the franchise’s ongoing evolution.
Cannnes, momentum, and Detectorists nostalgia
As Small Prophets heads to MIPCOM, Crook is buoyed by the project’s momentum. He believes the show could follow Detectorists’ path: quietly beloved and enduring rather than a quick viral hit.
Source: Original article
