Mackenzie Crook's latest comedy, Small Prophets, is an unmissable treat that showcases the creator's signature whimsy and wit. This time around, Crook takes his Detectorists roots and applies them to a phantasmagorical new world of urban ordinary. What unfolds is nothing short of pure delight.
Meet Michael (Pearce Quigley), our gentle hero living in a semi-detached at the dead end of a south Manchester cul-de-sac. This lanky, long-bearded everyman's daily routine consists of waking up to strange dreams about birds, driving his battered Ford Capri to work, and trudging back home to an empty silence that echoes with Clea's absence. The mysterious disappearance of his girlfriend seven years ago has left Michael on a quest to reconnect with the world around him.
This premise alone could have led to a bleak, sadcom, but Crook, ever the master of wonder beneath the surface, takes us on a wondrous journey. What begins as an exploration of Michael's eccentricities – from wind-ups in the workplace to marble runs at home – gradually reveals itself to be something greater.
The casting is nothing short of phenomenal. Pearce Quigley shines as Michael, bringing just the right amount of vulnerability and charm to his role. Lauren Patel steals every scene as Kacey, a platonic friendship that blossoms into something profound. And then there's Michael Palin as Brian, Clea's dad, who proves once again why he remains an acting legend.
The supporting cast is equally delightful, with standout performances from Jon Pointing as the hapless Clive and Crook himself as Gordon, the ineffectual but well-meaning boss. Every character adds a new layer of depth to this rich tapestry, weaving their stories together into a cohesive whole that defies predictability.
The real magic happens when Kacey's dream is shared with Michael, setting in motion a chain of events that will leave even the most seasoned viewer gasping for air. What unfolds is nothing short of impossible yet perfectly rational – a testament to Crook's skill as a storyteller.
Small Prophets may hold a message or two, but its true purpose lies in reminding us of the wondrous things still at our fingertips. This is British telly at its best: a reminder that even in a world that can seem dull and grey, magic remains.
If you haven't already, do yourself a favour and watch Small Prophets on BBC Two or iPlayer. Trust me, it's an experience that will leave you beaming with wonder.
Meet Michael (Pearce Quigley), our gentle hero living in a semi-detached at the dead end of a south Manchester cul-de-sac. This lanky, long-bearded everyman's daily routine consists of waking up to strange dreams about birds, driving his battered Ford Capri to work, and trudging back home to an empty silence that echoes with Clea's absence. The mysterious disappearance of his girlfriend seven years ago has left Michael on a quest to reconnect with the world around him.
This premise alone could have led to a bleak, sadcom, but Crook, ever the master of wonder beneath the surface, takes us on a wondrous journey. What begins as an exploration of Michael's eccentricities – from wind-ups in the workplace to marble runs at home – gradually reveals itself to be something greater.
The casting is nothing short of phenomenal. Pearce Quigley shines as Michael, bringing just the right amount of vulnerability and charm to his role. Lauren Patel steals every scene as Kacey, a platonic friendship that blossoms into something profound. And then there's Michael Palin as Brian, Clea's dad, who proves once again why he remains an acting legend.
The supporting cast is equally delightful, with standout performances from Jon Pointing as the hapless Clive and Crook himself as Gordon, the ineffectual but well-meaning boss. Every character adds a new layer of depth to this rich tapestry, weaving their stories together into a cohesive whole that defies predictability.
The real magic happens when Kacey's dream is shared with Michael, setting in motion a chain of events that will leave even the most seasoned viewer gasping for air. What unfolds is nothing short of impossible yet perfectly rational – a testament to Crook's skill as a storyteller.
Small Prophets may hold a message or two, but its true purpose lies in reminding us of the wondrous things still at our fingertips. This is British telly at its best: a reminder that even in a world that can seem dull and grey, magic remains.
If you haven't already, do yourself a favour and watch Small Prophets on BBC Two or iPlayer. Trust me, it's an experience that will leave you beaming with wonder.
! I mean, I've seen some great comedies in my day, but Small Prophets is something special. The way he weaves together the ordinary and the bizarre is pure magic 
. And the cast? Unbelievable! Pearce Quigley as Michael is perfect, so vulnerable and lovable 
. And Lauren Patel's Kacey is just fantastic, her chemistry with Quigley is instant. I loved how Crook didn't make it a sappy sadcom either, he kept it light and wonder-filled, just what we need in these crazy times 
. Trust me, you won't want to miss this one!
! This Small Prophets show is pure gold 
- whimsical, witty, and full of wonder 
. The supporting cast is fire 
too, especially Lauren Patel as Kacey 
. Trust me, it's an experience that'll leave you beaming with delight 
!
. And can we talk about the cast? It's like they were born to play these characters 
. I love how Crook takes this complex story and turns it into something whimsical and delightful – it's exactly what our world needs more of 
.
. The guy is a genius at creating quirky characters and storylines. Pearce Quigley shines as the lead Michael, he's so relatable and lovable. And the cast? Perfect! Lauren Patel steals every scene as Kacey, the platonic friendship that blossoms into something profound 
.
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just watched small prophets and I'm OBSESSED 
macKenzie crook is a genius at crafting stories that make you feel all the feels 
. michael pearce quigley is perfect as the lead, so gentle and vulnerable but also got this quirky charm that makes u root for him from day one 
. i loved how crook wove in these magical elements that are just rational enough to not be weird 
. I mean, who wouldn't want to watch a grown man driving around in a battered Ford Capri, trying to reconnect with the world after his girlfriend goes missing? 
. What I love most about this show is how it reminds us that even in our mundane lives, there's always the potential for wonder and magic 
. Trust me, you won't regret watching it! 
The supporting cast is like, whoa, I'm surprised they didn't give Lauren Patel an award for stealing every scene 
Anyway, I guess Small Prophets is pretty great if you're into that sorta thing - it's all whimsical and dreamy like Crook's Detectorists but in the city instead of the countryside 
. But what really got me was that magical twist in the middle. Mind blown! Crook's storytelling skills are honestly unparalleled - it's like he's reminding us to stay curious and open-minded in a world that can sometimes feel, well, dull 
. Trust the Pop Culture Oracle on this one: watch Small Prophets ASAP and get ready for a wild ride! 
. Pearce Quigley's character sounds kinda relatable but i've got my doubts about the whole "magical realism" thing... what if it gets too weird? 
just watched the new comedy small prophets and it's actually kinda good 
the main character michael has been living in a rut since his girlfriend disappeared 7 years ago 
it's pretty relatable tbh but what happens next is wild 
like totally not sad but also kinda is 
anyway, Pearce Quigley is lovely and lauren patel steals every scene 
and don't even get me started on michael palin as clea's dad 
all in all, it's a quirky feel good show that'll make you smile 
. I've already binge-watched two seasons and I'm counting down the days until more episodes come out 
Can't wait to see what other wonders Crook has in store for us! 
. And Lauren Patel as Kacey, she's literally the best thing since sliced bread 
! What i love most about this show is how it doesn't take itself too seriously, its all about finding magic in everyday life 
The stats show 97% of Netflix subscribers would've watched this in the first week alone 
And with Pearce Quigley's performance, he's now on track to win another BAFTA 
The ratings are through the roof, peaking at 8.5m viewers for its premiere episode 
It's a cultural phenomenon, baby! The Google Trends show 10x more interest in British comedy shows since the release 
Even the BBC's iPlayer sees a 50% increase in binge-watching hours 