‘Small Prophets’ Comedy Series Stars Pearce Quigley, Michael Palin, Lauren Patel – Trailer and Release Date
Written and directed by Mackenzie Crook, the series ‘Small Prophets’ is a comic tale of the eccentric Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) who, since his darling Clea disappeared seven years ago, has lived a very ordinary life. He works in a DIY store, visits his dad Brian (Sir Michael Palin) and hopes for Clea to return. One day Brian shares an old recipe involving rainwater, horse manure and more than a little alchemy. With recipe in hand, Michael sets out (albeit with some skepticism) to create homunculi — magical spirits that can predict the future — in the hope they have the answer to his burning question: “will I ever see Clea again?”
Michael gets help from his young coworker Kacey (Lauren Patel), an unlikely friendship that blossoms partly (but not wholly) through their mutual dislike of store manager Gordon (Mackenzie Crook). Their friendship adds to the frustration and intrigue of his nosy neighbors (Sophie Willan, Jon Pointing) who are obsessed with trying to find out what the hell is going on in the garden shed.
‘Small Prophets’ stars Pearce Quigley (as Michael Sleep), Michael Palin (as Brian Sleep), Lauren Patel (as Kacey), Mackenzie Crook (as Gordon), Sophie Willan (as Bev), Jon Pointing (as Clive) and Paul Kaye (as Roy).
Producer of ‘Small Prophets’ is Gill Isles, with executive producers Mackenzie Crook, Lisa Thomas, Christine Gernon and Emma Strain. Production companies are BBC Film, Treasure Trove Productions, and Blue House Productions.
The film’s cinematography is by Nick Brown, with music by Cinder Well.
Watch the trailer below:
Apple TV will release ‘Small Prophets’ on streaming on October 7, 2026. The series will premiere on Apple TV with the first two episodes on October 7, 2026, excluding the U.K., where it will be available to Apple TV subscribers in 2027. New episodes will premiere every Wednesday through November 4, 2026.
Pearce Quigley is most known for Detectorists. Michael Palin is most known for Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Mackenzie Crook is most known for The Office, Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl and Detectorists. Lauren Patel is most known for Waterloo Road. Sophie Willan is most known for Alma’s Not Normal. Jon Pointing is most known for Big Boys. Paul Kaye is most known for Game of Thrones.
