Small Prophets will return for a second series

The BBBC has announced its most popular comedy this year will return and move to BBC One from BBC Two.

Small Prophets — what is it

From the press release linked above:

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.

The picture above shows Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) and Kacey (Lauren Patel) (Image: BBC/Treasure Trove/Blue House/Matt Squire).

The six-part series will be written and directed by Mackenzie (Detectorists, Worzel Gummidge) and produced by Gill Isles (Car Share, Alma’s Not Normal). It will be made by Treasure Trove Productions and Channel X North.

Filmed and set in and around Manchester, the fantastical show (created by Mackenzie) 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.

For those with no access to the BBC, Apple TV has recently announced it will be showing the first series from October 7. They call it season one — we wonder if they already knew of the renewal!