Mackenzie Crook on Filming BBC Comedy Small Prophets

Actor, writer, and director Mackenzie Crook is returning to television with a new BBC Two comedy series, Small Prophets. The six-part show, filmed in Greater Manchester, features Crook alongside legendary actor Sir Michael Palin and Salford-born Pearce Quigley.

A Decade in the Making

Crook, best known for The Office and Detectorists, revealed that the script had been in development for nearly ten years. Inspired by a story about creatures grown in jars, he said the idea only crystallized when he realized Quigley would play the lead character.

“It was a story that I stumbled upon… it was various elements that came together before I realised what it was going to be,” Crook explained.

The Storyline

The series follows Michael (played by Quigley), who searches for answers years after his girlfriend’s disappearance. His father Brian, portrayed by Sir Michael Palin, introduces him to an ancient recipe involving rainwater, horse manure, and alchemy. This leads to the emergence of prophesying spirits from his garden shed.

Filming in the North

Crook chose to film in Urmston and Stockport, joking that he was guaranteed “seven weeks of glorious unbroken sunshine.” Local residents embraced the production, with one describing the surreal experience of seeing manure delivered and actors pretending to be drunk outside her home.

Bolton actress Sophie Willan and Lauren Patel — who voiced PC Mukherjee in the recent Wallace and Gromit film — also appear in the series. Patel said filming in Manchester was special, as it allowed her to work alongside Northern talent in her hometown.

Community Spirit

Residents described the filming as both bizarre and exciting. Sally Sadler recalled learning her house would be part of the series while shopping, saying it was “amazing and surreal.” Quigley added that filming in Manchester meant spending more time with his family, noting: “I’ve seen more of my mum than I would have done normally.”

Broadcast Details

Small Prophets premieres on BBC Two at 22:00 GMT on Monday, February 9, and will also be available to stream on BBC iPlayer. With its mix of surreal comedy, Northern charm, and a cast led by Crook and Palin, Small Prophets promises to be one of the BBC’s standout new comedies of 2026.