Apple TV adds six-episode British fantasy drama to streaming lineup
Small Prophets, written and directed by Mackenzie Crook, combines deadpan humor with supernatural elements in a limited series.
By Neha Kapoor ·
Apple TV has begun streaming Small Prophets, a six-episode limited series originally produced by the BBC. The show blends fantasy with social comedy and has been described by critics as a gentle and original piece of television. Each episode runs for thirty minutes.
The central character is Michael Sleep, a man in his fifties played by Pearce Quigley. He lives in a suburban home that he has maintained without change for seven years. His partner, Clea, disappeared seven years ago, and Michael continues to hope she will return. He splits his time between a job at the Tool Box, a hardware store, and visits to his father, Brian, who resides in a retirement home. Michael Palin portrays Brian as an inventive but scattered elder.
Brian tells Michael about a friend in Egypt who could summon homunculi. These are miniature humanoid beings that answer questions with absolute truth. Brian provides Michael with a recipe to bring these small prophets to life. The creatures grow in glass jars. Michael, initially skeptical, begins the process using ingredients that include old coins and a truckload of manure.
New characters enter Michael's life as the homunculi develop. Roy, Clea's brother, is played by Paul Kaye and arrives broke to claim the house. The neighbors, Clive and Bev, become obsessed with Michael. Clive is tormented by the state of Michael's overgrown yard, while Bev finds Michael distinct. In his workplace, Michael befriends Kacey, a young coworker played by Lauren Patel. They bond over their shared disdain for their boss, Gordon, who is portrayed by writer-director Mackenzie Crook.
Mackenzie Crook specializes in tenderly offbeat series, having previously created the cult comedy Detectorists about metal detecting enthusiasts. In Small Prophets, Crook focuses on loners and misfits who work unsatisfying jobs. The show treats its characters with a sympathetic eye, highlighting their vulnerabilities despite their eccentricities.
The narrative maintains a balance between melancholy and humor. Michael makes jokes at the store that provide comedic relief, while the show incorporates poetic elements into daily life. These elements include a falling star, an oil spill shaped like a rabbit, and an enchanting Christmas memory. The homunculi themselves are depicted as fragile creatures whose trapped existence mirrors the solitude of the human cast.
Pearce Quigley delivers a quiet and confident performance as Michael. The character is portrayed as uncynical and open to the wonder of life. Michael remains loyal and accepting of others' differences. He carries the audience through the story with a strange charisma that defines the show's positive approach to its characters.
