Small Prophets

I’m a bit busy for the next month or so. It’s possible I might not have time for much blogging for a little while. However, I thought I would just tell you quickly about a wonderful new TV comedy series I have been enjoying. It is called Small Prophets and is written and directed by the brilliant Mackenzie Crook. If you have read my blog for a while you will know I am a big fan of his work in such series as The Office, The Detectorists, and Worzel Gummidge. I think Small Prophets is arguably his greatest creation yet. The series stars Pearce Quiqley as Michael Sleep who is missing his partner Clea who disappeared on Christmas Eve seven years previously. You don’t need me to tell you what a comic genius Michael Palin is after Monty Python, Ripping Yarns, and his film roles and wonderful travel documentaries. After reading the script of Small Prophets Michael jumped at the chance to play Brian Sleep who is Michael Sleep’s father. Brian lives in a Care Home where he creates chaos for the other residents and carer Hilary.

Palin & Quigley

Mackenzie plays Gordon who is Michael’s boss at the DIY store. Lauren Patel is excellent as Michael’s workmate, friend and co-conspirator Kacey . There are also great performances by Sophie Willan and John Pointing as the nosey neighbours. Even the minor roles of Brigham played by Ed Kear and eccentric neighbour Olive played by Shola Adewusi are deserving of a mention. Mackenzie Crook always has great music in his programmes. In the past the likes of Johnny Flynn and The Unthanks have been featured. In this series the theme song is by a singer called Cinder Well. 

Cinder Well

I hadn’t heard of her before but will certainly listen to more of her music in the future. Mackenzie got the idea for the storyline after reading about a Swiss medieval alchemist called Paracelsus. His dad Brian gives Michael the recipe for creating little creatures called homunculi. They can predict the future and only tell the truth. Before long Michael is busy growing the Small Prophets in his shed. I won’t tell you anymore because I want you to watch it yourself. It is shown weekly on BBC, but I was greedy and binge watched all six episodes on BBC iPlayer. I just want to say that there are many worthy institutions in Britain that should be preserved and treasured, but to my mind the two greatest institutions to be proud of are the NHS and the BBC. There are forces at work in the world who would like to destroy the BBC, but I don’t think there is another television company in the world that nurtures such creative talent and produces programmes of the quality of Small Prophets, so I say well done to the BBC. I’m looking forward to the next series already.

Michael & Kacey.