Can alchemy provide answers to life's most painful disappearances?
In short: When Michael Sleep’s partner vanished seven years ago, his grief took an unexpected turn toward the occult. In Mackenzie Crook’s acclaimed comedy-drama, a DIY store worker uses alchemical recipes to create homunculi, hoping these tiny creatures can prophesy his partner's fate.
Premiering on BBC Two on 9 February 2026, Small Prophets is a British comedy-drama written, directed, and executive produced by Mackenzie Crook. The series follows Michael Sleep, played by Pearce Quigley, as he navigates life in Greater Manchester while attempting to use alchemy to find answers about his missing girlfriend, Clea. The show's concept was inspired by a footnote regarding the Swiss alchemist Paracelsus. The six-part production, commissioned by the BBC in May 2025, features Michael's father, Brian, played by Michael Palin. Playing the role of Hilary, a staff member within Brian's residential home, is Charlotte Mills.
The narrative balances whimsical elements, such as the creation of homunculi, with grounded, suburban tension. While Michael is supported by his colleague Kacey (Lauren Patel), he must contend with an unpopular boss, Gordon (Mackenzie Crook), and suspicious neighbours, including Clive (Jon Pointing), Bev (Sophie Willan), and Olive (Shola Adewusi). The production features animation by Ainslie Henderson and Will Anderson, and a bespoke theme tune, "The Wise Man's Song," by Cinder Well. The show's setting is deeply rooted in the Manchester area, with filming locations spanning Urmston, Stockport, and Flixton. It even features scenes along the Bridgewater Canal near the M60 junction 7.
Notably, the production achieved major acclaim, securing the 'best series in the international panorama competition' title during Series Mania 2026. It earned five-star reviews from The Guardian and The Times, with the latter praising Crook's storytelling for making viewers feel "strangely and intensely alive." The show's popularity is reflected in its viewership, with the first episode attracting up to 9.2 million viewers over a 28-day period as of 8 September 2026. Following this success, the BBC confirmed a second series, which will migrate from BBC Two to BBC One. The series is also available on Apple TV for international audiences, with its American debut scheduled for 7 October 2026.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Small Prophets
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