Apple TV Picks Up Mackenzie Crook's 'Small Prophets' for Global Launch in October

Apple TV has acquired worldwide rights to Small Prophets, the partially animated comedy-drama created, written and directed by Mackenzie Crook, in a deal with international distributor Sphere Abacus (Deadline). The series will launch on Apple TV on 7 October everywhere except the UK, where it will arrive next year.

The show already has a proven track record. Small Prophets debuted on BBC iPlayer and BBC Two earlier in 2026, where it recorded the best 28-day launch ratings for a comedy on BBC Two since 2022, according to Deadline. Sphere Abacus, the series' international distributor, also reports it as the BBC's biggest new scripted launch of the year. The series holds a 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and won the International Panorama award at Series Mania earlier in 2026.

Pearce Quigley leads the cast as Michael Sleep, an ordinary man in suburban Manchester whose partner Clea vanished seven years ago. Michael clocks in at a DIY store, visits his elderly father Brian, and still hopes Clea will come back. Then Brian shares an old family recipe for a potion that lets Michael create homunculi — small magical spirits that can predict the future.

Lauren Patel plays Kacey, Michael's young co-worker at the DIY store, and their friendship grows over a shared dislike of the store manager Gordon, played by Crook himself in a small role. The cast also includes Michael Palin, Jon Pointing and Paul Kay.

Crook is best known to many viewers as Gareth in The Office and Ragetti in the Pirates of the Caribbean films. He previously created and starred in the BAFTA-winning BBC series Detectorists. Small Prophets was made by his company Treasure Trove Productions alongside Manchester-based Blue House Productions. Crook and Lisa Thomas executive produced for Treasure Trove, with Christine Gernon and Emma Strain executive producing for Blue House.

For fans outside the UK, the October launch opens up a series that has so far been available only to BBC audiences. For UK viewers, the Apple TV window means a second chance to watch — just not for a few months yet.

The acquisition also raises a question about the show's future. In March 2026, Crook told Deadline he was planning an eight-episode final season for Small Prophets. Whether Apple TV's involvement in the franchise extends beyond distributing the first season has not been confirmed.