Urmston was the location of choice for filming the series that will air early next year
The BBC comedy was filmed in and around Greater Manchester(Image: Matt Squire/BBC)
The first pictures have emerged of new BBC comedy Small Prophets, which is created, written and directed by BAFTA-winning star of The Office and Detectorists Mackenzie Crook.
Launching on iPlayer and BBC Two in early 2026, the six-part series will feature a host of comedy stars including Sir Michael Palin, Pearce Quigley, Lauren Patel, Sophie Willan, Jon Pointing and Paul Kaye.
Small Prophets has been filmed and set around Greater Manchester, as a story of the magical and the mundane unfolds in a suburban cul-de-sac.
Now the Manchester Evening News can confirm filming took place in and around Urmston over a six week period in May and June 2025.
BBC director of comedy Jon Petrie said: “BBC viewers are in for a treat with Bafta winner Mackenzie Crook’s Small Prophets.
“This magical comedy series brims with wit and wonder – from Mackenzie himself and Sir Michael Palin to Sophie Willan, Pearce Quigley, Lauren Patel and Jon Pointing – and is backed by a top-tier creative team and stunning animation.
“It’s British comedy at its finest.”
The new series will air next year on BBC Two(Image: Vishal Sharma/BBC)
For viewers excited that a new comedy is on the horizon, the official synopsis reads: “We meet eccentric Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) whose darling partner Clea disappeared seven years ago. Since then, Sleep has lived a very ordinary life. He eats Shreddies, works in a DIY store, visits his dad Brian (Michael Palin), and hopes for Clea to return.
“One day Brian shares an old recipe involving rainwater, horse manure and more than a little alchemy. With recipe in hand, Sleep sets out (albeit with some scepticism) to create Homunculi – magical prophesying spirits that can predict the future.
“Sleep gets help from young work mate Kacey (Lauren Patel), an unlikely friendship that blossoms partly, but not wholly, through their mutual dislike of store manager Gordon (Mackenzie Crook). Their friendship adds to the frustration and intrigue of his nosy neighbours (Sophie Willan and Jon Pointing) who are obsessed with trying to find out what the hell is going on in the garden shed.
Mackenzie Crook will also play store manager Gordon(Image: Vishal Sharma/BBC)
“Meanwhile, Roy (Paul Kaye), Clea’s brother has fallen on hard times. In desperation he has come back into Michael’s life to claim back the family home, convinced that his sister will never return.”
Ahead of the series, Mackenzie teased: “Like all my best ideas, this one has been percolating for nearly a decade and is finally ready to see the light of day.
“It’s wonderful to be working again with my friends Gill Isles and Pearce Quigley and to realise a long-term ambition of collaborating with animators Ainslie Henderson and Will Anderson.”