The Office icon’s new comedy series finally gets BBC release window confirmed

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Mackenzie Crook’s new BBC comedy, Small Prophets, was announced eight months ago, and viewers have been eagerly anticipating its release ever since.

We’re nearing the release of the show, which is scheduled to premiere on BBC Two and iPlayer in early February 2026.

Mackenzie’s new series, Small Prophets, marks his first project since the acclaimed BBC comedy Detectorists, which ended in 2022 after running from 2014. He starred in Detectorists alongside Toby Jones.

This six-episode show features Pearce Quigley, Lauren Patel, Sir Michael Palin, Sophie Willan, Jon Pointing, and Paul Kaye. It centers around Quigley’s character, Michael Sleep – a quirky, recently widowed man who works at a hardware store.

The series begins when Brian reveals a strange old recipe calling for ingredients like rainwater and horse manure, combined with a bit of alchemy. Intrigued but doubtful, Sleep decides to follow the recipe and attempt to create Homunculi – magical spirits believed to be able to predict the future.

This series features beautiful animation and tells a heartwarming story about friendship and hope. It blends the fantastical with everyday life, all set against the backdrop of secrets hidden within a quiet neighborhood.

Crook explained that this idea has been developing for almost ten years and he’s excited to finally share it.

I’m thrilled to be working with Gill Isles and Pearce Quigley again, and I’m excited to finally be collaborating with animators Ainslie Henderson and Will Anderson – it’s been a long-held dream of mine.

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Isles also expressed their excitement about collaborating with Mackenzie once more, describing the show as hilarious, heartwarming, and truly original.

According to Jon Petrie, the BBC’s Director of Comedy, viewers of BBC Two will really enjoy “Small Prophets,” a new show from BAFTA-winning creator Mackenzie Crook.

This hilarious and enchanting series is full of clever writing and imaginative visuals. It features a talented cast including Mackenzie, Sir Michael Palin, Sophie Willan, Pearce Quigley, Lauren Patel, and Jon Pointing, and benefits from a fantastic creative team and beautiful animation.

“It’s British comedy at its finest.”

Small Prophets will air on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer in February 2026.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at Fremantle, an international television production company. He has a BA degree in English and Theatre Studies, and a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-01-05 19:04