Small Prophets blends magic and the mundane for more unhurried comic delights from the creator of Detectorists

Michael Sleep, known for his role in Detectorists, has penned a new series called Small Prophets that combines elements of magic and everyday life. The show, premiering on Apple TV outside the UK, follows Michael as he navigates his mundane daily routine, which includes working at a hardware store and visiting his elderly father, Brian, in a nursing home.

Unresolved grief over the disappearance of his girlfriend, Clea, seven years ago, keeps Michael in a perpetual state of limbo. His dad devises a plan to bring back Clea using the ancient art of alchemy. Inspired by Mackenzie Crook's unique comedic style, Small Prophets explores the life of an eccentric, solitary man who creates tiny human-like beings, called homunculi, to find answers.

Crook's gentle humor and matter-of-fact tone create a realistic and comforting world, where even the supernatural feels grounded. A standout aspect of Small Prophets is the friendship between the older Michael and the younger Kacey, who work together at the DIY store. This relationship offers a refreshing change from typical modern TV dynamics, as it highlights a realistic platonic bond between an older man and a younger woman.

Despite the presence of darkness, Small Prophets maintains a consistently funny and hopeful tone, with Crook's absurd antics and surreal sight gags offering moments of genuine satisfaction. The series has already been renewed for a second season, proving that audiences are drawn to this unconventional approach to storytelling.