Some great news tonight at it’s been revealed that Mackenzie Crook’s wonderful series, Small Prophets, has been renewed for a second, final series.
As per the BBC Press Office: Small Prophets – the hit BBC comedy conjured up by Mackenzie Crook – is to return for a second series following its stellar first run. Starring Mackenzie Crook, Sir Michael Palin, Pearce Quigley and Lauren Patel, series two will make the move from BBC Two to BBC One.
The six-part series will be written and directed by Mackenzie (Detectorists, Worzel Gummidge) and produced by BAFTA-winning Gill Isles (Car Share, Alma’s Not Normal). It will be made by Treasure Trove Productions and Channel X North.
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Tidbit:
While the series has been granted a six-episode second series, Crook had previously said he needed eight episodes to wrap the story up [although series one is six episodes]: “I want to write a second series. I want it to be eight episodes and then I want to leave it there.
“I haven’t written it yet. I don’t know exactly what happens, but I think that would be great. First half [ends with] to be continued. Second half: the end. And there’s your story.”
He explained that it took him ten years to wrap his head around the story and he’s itching to tell the rest of it: “The majority of the ten years was figuring out what it was. Now I know what it is, I just have to go and finish off the adventure.”
In series one we met eccentric Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) whose partner Clea disappeared seven years ago. Sleep lives a very ordinary life, working in a DIY store, visiting his dad Brian (Michael Palin), and hoping for Clea’s return. One day Brian shares an old recipe with Sleep to create Homunculi. Sleep enlists his colleague Kacey (Lauren Patel) to help conjure up the magical prophesying spirits that can predict the future.
An unlikely friendship blossoms, partly through their mutual dislike of their boss, store manager Gordon (Mackenzie Crook). It adds to the intrigue of Sleep’s nosy neighbours Bev (Sophie Willan) and Clive (Jon Pointing) who are obsessed with trying to find out what the hell is going on in his garden shed.
Mackenzie Crook says: “I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to tell the second half of this strange story and as intrigued as anyone else to find out what happens to Michael Sleep in his mystical quest. The prophets have foretold that series two will be happening next year and, as we know, they are compelled to speak the truth.”
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Gill Isles says: “It’s a real privilege to be producing the second series of Small Prophets. Mackenzie has created such a distinctive, magical world, and I can’t wait to return to Marvin Gardens and help bring this new chapter to life.”
Emma Lawson, BBC Interim Director of Comedy, adds: “We’re beyond delighted to be bringing Small Prophets back for a second series. Mackenzie has created a world packed with wonder, magic and unforgettable characters which feels completely unlike anything else on television and we can’t wait to see where the story takes us next. To be continued…”
Filmed and set in and around Manchester, the fantastical show captivated audiences, averaging 6.3m over 28-days, with a huge 82% of viewing from iPlayer (5.2m). Episode one has continued to accrue viewing outside of 28-days and is now up to 9.2m. It’s the BBC’s biggest new comedy series of the year so far.
If you’ve not seen Small Prophets – or Crook’s other wonderful series The Detectorists – I can’t recommend it enough; it’s sweet, funny, fantastical and realistic in the most perfectly unrealistic way.
I can’t wait for series 2.
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Marc
Marc is a self-confessed nerd. Ever since seeing Star Wars for the first time around 1979 he’s been an unapologetic fan of the Wars and still believes, with Clone Wars and now Underworld, we are yet to see the best Star Wars. He’s a dad of two who now doesn’t have the time (or money) to collect the amount of toys, comics, movies and books he once did, much to the relief of his long-suffering wife. In the real world he’s a graphic designer. He started Following the Nerd because he was tired of searching a million sites every day for all the best news that he loves and decided to create one place where you can go to get the whole lot. Secretly he longs to be sitting in the cockpit of his YT-1300 Corellian Transport ship with his co-pilot Chewie, roaming the universe, waiting for his next big adventure, but feels just at home watching cartoons with his kids….
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