Small Prophets future teased as Mackenzie Crook eyes up second series
Mackenzie Crook hopes to keep his "promise" about the future of Small Prophets.
Mackenzie Crook hopes to keep his "promise" by bringing fans more Small Prophets.
The six-part magical drama has been a huge success for the BBC, becoming the channel's biggest new scripted launch of the year so far with 7.7 million viewers, as well as the biggest comedy launch episode across the market (besides specials) since Ludwig in 2024, while it's BBC Two's biggest comedy episode of the last decade.
In a statement, Mackenzie - who created, wrote, directed and appeared in the series - said: "I couldn’t be happier with the response to Small Prophets.
"The feedback from the audience, the reviews and figures have been better than I dared to hope.
“I gradually crafted this idea over the course of about 10 years and I think it has benefited from that slow percolation.
"The BBC comedy department has long given me the space, support and trust to make my shows and there is nowhere else I would rather go.
"The BBC feels like home. I ended Small Prophets with ‘to be continued’ and I hope that is a promise I can keep in the not-too-distant future."
The show also pulled in 5.9 million viewers on iPlayer, with 4 million viewers already watching to the end on iPlayer.
The series featured a top notch cast made up of Mackenzie, Sir Michael Palin, Pearce Quigley, Lauren Patel, Sophie Willan, Jon Pointing and Paul Kaye.
Jon Petrie, BBC Director of Comedy, added: “Small Prophets has been a brilliant success story. Loved by critics and viewers alike, it’s exactly the sort of show the BBC does best.
"We knew it was a bit of a risk and involved a huge amount of trust, but we felt there was something incredibly special in it.
"Alongside the beautifully drawn comedic characters, there was so much heart, and an almost fairytale quality to it that feels deeply embedded in our psyches from childhood.
"It’s also arrived at a moment when a bit of hope and humanity probably isn’t the worst thing in the world."
The show follows eccentric Michael Sleep (Quigley), who has lived an ordinary life since his darling Clea disappeared seven years ago.
As well as working in a DIY store, he often visits his dad Brian (Palin) while he waits for her to return.
The BBC previously teased: "That is just the way it is, until one day dad 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 scepticism) to create Homunculi - magical prophesying 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 young work mate 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 neighbours (Sophie Willan, Jon Pointing) who are obsessed with trying to find out what the hell is going on in the garden shed."
