Apple TV has bought the rights for hit BBC comedy, Small Prophets.
Filmed on location in Manchester, it was created, written and directed by Mackenzie Crook (Detectorists).
Crook also stars, alongside Pearce Quigley, Lauren Patel, Sir Michael Palin, Sophie Willan, Jon Pointing and Paul Kaye.
The deal will see the first series premiere on Apple TV on October 7th to all territories, apart from the UK – where it remains on the BBC iPlayer. It will be available to UK Apple TV subscribers from 2027.
It’s been the BBC’s biggest scripted launch of the year so far and holds a rare 100% critics’ score on Rotten Tomatoes. It won the Best Series Award, International Panorama at Series Mania in March 2026.
READ MORE – Michael Palin and Detectorists’ Mackenzie Crook film Manchester comedy
Small Prophets tells the story of the eccentric Michael Sleep (Quigley) who, since his partner Clea disappeared seven years ago, has lived a very ordinary life – he works in a DIY store, visits his dad Brian (Palin) and hopes for Clea to return.
One day Brian shares an old recipe involving rainwater, horse manure and “more than a little alchemy” which can create magical spirits who can predict the future – ie will he ever see Clea again?
With a dose of scepticism and help from co-worker Kacey (Patel), an unlikely friendship 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 (Willan, Pointing) who are obsessed with trying to find out what the is going on in the garden shed.
It was filmed in and around Manchester and produced by Treasure Trove and Blue House Productions.
Apple TV acquired Small Prophets from international distributor Sphere Abacus.
