Apple TV has bought Small Prophets, the BBC’s biggest new scripted series launch of the year, in a rare outright-acquisition deal. Mackenzie Crook’s six-part comedy-drama streams on Apple TV worldwide from October 7 — with the UK, where it is already on BBC iPlayer, following next year.
Deadline broke the news. The deal ran through distributor Sphere Abacus, which sold the show on behalf of producers Blue House, Hot Olives and Crook’s own Treasure Trove Productions.
Why the deal is unusual
Apple usually commissions shows before they exist; this time it bought a finished hit a few months after its debut. 9to5Mac notes it is the first English-language title Apple has bought out in this manner — its earlier pickups of finished shows, like the French-Japanese drama Drops of God, were international titles.
Small Prophets debuted on BBC Two and iPlayer earlier this year to the best 28-day launch ratings for a comedy on the channel since 2022. It holds a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and won the International Panorama prize at Series Mania.
What Small Prophets is about
Crook wrote, created and directed the show, and appears in a small role. Pearce Quigley plays Michael Sleep, an ordinary man whose partner Clea vanished seven years ago; he works in a DIY store and visits his elderly father Brian, played by Michael Palin. When Brian shares an old recipe for a potion, Michael uses it to create homunculi — magical spirits that can predict the future — to learn whether he will see Clea again.
Lauren Patel plays Michael’s young co-worker Kacey; Jon Pointing and Paul Kay play the neighbours. Set in suburban Manchester with animated touches for the magical elements, the show sits tonally alongside Apple’s gentler comedies like Ted Lasso.
How to watch in the UAE
Small Prophets streams on Apple TV in the UAE from October 7. Apple TV costs AED 27.99 a month after a seven-day free trial — see our guide to watching Apple TV shows in the UAE for how to set it up.
When does Small Prophets launch on Apple TV?
It streams worldwide on Apple TV from October 7, 2026. The UK gets it next year — it is currently exclusive to BBC iPlayer there.
Who created Small Prophets and who stars in it?
Mackenzie Crook (The Detectorists) wrote, created and directed the six-part series, and appears in a small role. Pearce Quigley leads, with Michael Palin, Lauren Patel, Jon Pointing and Paul Kay.
What is Small Prophets about?
Michael Sleep, whose partner vanished seven years ago, uses an old recipe to create homunculi — magical spirits that can predict the future — to find out whether he will ever see her again.
Will there be a Small Prophets season 2?
Crook is reported to be writing an eight-part second and final series, but the BBC has not confirmed a commission.
