Why Everyone Is Talking About Small Prophets, Apple TV’s Weirdest New Hit Show

Streaming platforms release new TV shows every week, but rarely does a series come along that feels completely unique. Apple TV has had an amazing run of hits recently, and that winning streak is keeping its momentum thanks to a quirky new arrival called Small Prophets.

If you have noticed people on your social feed talking about growing tiny magical creatures in garden jars, you are not alone. That bizarre concept sits right at the heart of this show. Created by British actor and writer Mackenzie Crook, Small Prophets has made its global streaming debut on Apple TV, and viewers are already obsessed.

The series originally aired in the UK on the BBC earlier in the year, earning glowing five-star reviews and breaking audience records. Now that Apple TV has brought it to international screens, it is quickly becoming one of the most talked-about shows of the autumn.

Here is everything you need to know about Small Prophets, why Apple TV picked it up, and why you should add it to your watchlist immediately.

What Is Small Prophets All About?

On paper, the plot of Small Prophets sounds like a fever dream. But on screen, it transforms into a story filled with heart, gentle humor, and quiet magic.

The story follows a quiet, middle-aged man named Michael Sleep, played by actor Pearce Quigley. Michael lives a very simple and quiet life in suburban Manchester, England. However, under his calm exterior lies a deeply broken heart. Seven years ago, the love of his life, Clea, disappeared without leaving a single trace or note. Michael has never moved on, and he spends his days wondering what happened to her.

Everything changes when Michael stumbles across an ancient, mysterious alchemical recipe. According to the instructions, if you combine specific odd ingredients inside glass jars, you can grow tiny living beings called homunculi. These tiny humanoid creatures look like miniature people, and once they fully mature, they hold a special power: they can answer any question in the universe with absolute truth.

Determined to find out what happened to Clea, Michael sets up a secret laboratory inside his backyard garden shed. With the help of a fallen meteorite and some strange everyday items, he actually succeeds in growing these tiny prophets.

What follows is a blend of everyday suburban gossip, quiet British humor, and genuine mystery. Nosy neighbors start snooping around, quirky co-workers get involved, and Michael finds himself protecting his secret garden shed while searching for the truth about his past.

Why Apple TV Made a Historic Business Move Buying This Show

If you follow streaming news, you might know that Apple TV usually operates differently from platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime Video. For years, Apple TV has focused almost entirely on building its catalog through “Apple Originals”—shows and movies that Apple funds and develops from day one.

Small Prophets marks a rare move for Apple TV. This is the first time Apple TV has purchased the global rights to a completed British television show that was funded and broadcast by another network. You can read the official announcement details on the Apple TV Press release.

Why did Apple break its own rule for Small Prophets? The answer comes down to pure quality.

When Small Prophets premiered in the UK on BBC Two, it became a massive ratings sensation. Millions of viewers tuned in, and critics praised it with perfect scores. According to reviews detailed on Collider’s Small Prophets review, the series earned a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, with reviewers calling it a heartwarming masterpiece.

Apple recognized that this show fit their brand identity perfectly: high quality, beautifully filmed, thoughtfully written, and emotional. Instead of waiting years to build a similar show from scratch, Apple snapped up the international distribution rights to give subscribers across North America and around the world instant access.

The Amazing Talent Behind the Series

A huge reason Small Prophets works so well is the creative mind behind it: Mackenzie Crook.

Many TV fans know Mackenzie Crook from his iconic role as Gareth Keenan in the original British version of The Office or as Ragetti in the Pirates of the Caribbean movies. But in recent years, Crook has established himself as one of the finest television writers and directors in Great Britain. He created the beloved comedy series Detectorists, which won major awards for its gentle, witty depiction of ordinary people searching for buried treasure.

With Small Prophets, Crook wrote and directed all six episodes, and he even plays Gordon, Michael’s strict boss at work. You can learn more about his background and body of work on the Small Prophets Wikipedia page.

The acting ensemble is equally impressive:

Pearce Quigley as Michael Sleep

Pearce Quigley brings a wonderfully deadpan, deeply sympathetic energy to the lead role. He makes a man who grows tiny people in a jar feel grounded, relatable, and deeply human.

Michael Palin as Brian Sleep

In a major casting coup, Monty Python legend Sir Michael Palin came out of semi-retirement at the age of 82 to play Michael’s father, Brian. Palin admitted that the script was so charming and funny that he could not resist returning to comedy television. His scenes with Quigley offer some of the show’s funniest and sweetest moments.

Lauren Patel as Kacey

Lauren Patel delivers a standout performance as Kacey, Michael’s younger, tech-savvy co-worker. Kacey becomes Michael’s unexpected accomplice in his secret experiments, bringing energy and modern practicality to his bizarre home setup.

The Supporting Ensemble

The cast is rounded out by top comedy talent including Paul Kaye, Sophie Willan, and Jon Pointing, who bring endless charm to the small suburban neighborhood.

What Makes Small Prophets Stand Out from Other Shows?

In a television landscape filled with fast-paced action, intense crime thrillers, and loud reality TV, Small Prophets takes a completely different approach.

It gives the story room to breathe. The cameras linger on lush green English gardens, rainy suburban streets, quiet tea times, and glowing jars in dark sheds. The series treats its oddball characters with real respect. Nobody is treated as a joke, even when they are doing strange things.

Here are a few reasons why audiences are falling in love with it:

• It mixes magic with everyday reality: The show creates a cozy feeling where a guy can commute to work, chat with his neighbor about lawn care, and then check on tiny prophesying homunculi in his shed before dinner.
• It is genuinely moving: Beneath the fantasy element, this is a show about grief, loss, and hope. Anyone who has ever lost someone or looked for answers in life will connect with Michael’s journey.
• Beautiful visual design: The show mixes live-action filming in Manchester with subtle, stunning stop-motion animation for the tiny homunculi.
• Short and sweet structure: At just six episodes, the season does not drag out its mystery. Every episode moves the story forward while keeping you laughing and emotionally hooked.

Season 2 Is Already Confirmed

The great news for fans jumping into Small Prophets right now is that you do not have to worry about the show being canceled on a cliffhanger.

Due to the huge ratings success in Great Britain, the BBC officially renewed Small Prophets for a second season. In fact, the new season is moving to BBC One, the flagship national channel in the UK, signaling massive network confidence.

Mackenzie Crook has stated that he is writing an expanded story arc for Season 2 that will build upon the mystery of the first season and bring Michael’s story to a definitive, satisfying conclusion. Given Apple TV’s distribution partnership, international viewers can expect the second season to arrive on Apple TV following its UK broadcast.

How to Stream Small Prophets

If you are ready to start watching, here is how you can catch the series:

• International Viewers (US, Canada, Worldwide): Small Prophets premiered on Apple TV on October 7, 2026. The first two episodes are available immediately, with new episodes dropping weekly every Wednesday through November 4, 2026.
• UK Viewers: All six episodes of Season 1 are currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer.

Frequently Asked Questions About Small Prophets

What is the main storyline of Small Prophets?

Small Prophets tells the story of Michael Sleep, a man grieving his girlfriend who disappeared seven years ago. He uses an ancient recipe to grow tiny creatures called homunculi in glass jars in his shed. These creatures can tell the future and answer any question, helping him search for answers about his lost love.

Is Small Prophets an official Apple Original?

No, Small Prophets was originally produced and broadcast by the BBC in the United Kingdom. However, Apple TV acquired the exclusive international distribution rights to stream the series worldwide outside the UK.

Who wrote and directed Small Prophets?

The series was created, written, and directed by BAFTA-winning creator Mackenzie Crook. Crook is famous for creating Detectorists and starring in The Office and Pirates of the Caribbean.

How many episodes are in Season 1 of Small Prophets?

Season 1 consists of six episodes. Each episode runs roughly 30 minutes long, making it an easy and delightful binge watch.

Is there going to be a Season 2 of Small Prophets?

Yes, a second season has been officially greenlit. Creator Mackenzie Crook is currently writing the new season, which will air on BBC One and stream internationally on Apple TV.

Keeping up with the best television shows, movies, and pop culture trends can feel overwhelming with so many streaming services out there. That is why staying connected with reliable entertainment updates helps you discover quiet gems like Small Prophets before everyone else starts talking about them.

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