Small Prophets: Meet the stars of the British dramedy ahead of global premiere

Apple TV has secured worldwide rights to Small Prophets after the series gained 7.7 million viewers on BBC in the first 28 days of its release. Globally, the drama will premiere on October 7, 2026, after the platform signed a deal with the global distribution company, Sphere Abacus.

The series is about an eccentric man, Michael Sleep, whose life changed after the disappearance of his girlfriend Clea 7 years ago. He spends his days working in a DIY store, often visits his elderly father Brian, and holds on to the hope that Clea will return.

Pearce Quigley plays Michael Sleep along with Lauren Patel in the role of Michael's co-worker and friend, Kacey, and Michael Palin as Brian Sleep. Mackenzie Crook appears as the DIY store manager and the boss of Michael, Gordon.

Supporting cast members include Paul Kaye, Jon Pointing, Ed Kear, Sophie Willan, Charlotte Mills, Adam Wright, Shola Adewusi, Rhiannon Clements, and Kathryn Drysdale.

Continue reading more about the stars in Small Prophets.

Meet the lead of Small Prophets: Pearce Quigley as Michael Sleep

In Small Prophets, Michael often teases the customers and argues with his manager Gordon. He leaves work regularly to visit his father in the retirement home. Clea is Michael's girlfriend who disappeared 7 years ago but Michael refuses to accept that she is dead and keeps waiting for her return, even though everyone around him believes it is hopeless.

One day, Michael visits Brian, and there his father tells him about small human-like creatures called homunculi. These creatures can answer any question if they are raised properly. At first, Michael considers it nonsense but later he discovers a drawing of a fully grown homunculus in his father's journal.

Later, Michael creates a laboratory in his shed and tries developing a homunculus with the hope of seeing Clea again.

The DIY store manager: Mackenzie Crook as Gordon

Mackenzie Crook plays the store manager and boss of Michael, Gordon. Michael gets support from his young co-worker Kacey at the DIY store and their unlikely friendship grows because they start disliking Gordon.

The co-worker of Michael: Lauren Patel as Kacey

Lauren Patel plays the co-employee and friend of Michael, Kacey. She is also someone who later learns about the homunculi that Michael plans to bring to life.

Previously on BBC, Lauren played the role of Jas Sharma in Waterloo Road Season 15. The actress also voiced PC Mukherjee in 2024's comedy film Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.

Michael's father: Michael Palin as Brian Sleep

Michael Palin appears in Small Prophets as Michael's father, Brian. He lives in a care home and spends his time creating unusual machines. However, his mechanical wonders have not stopped his memory from fading badly.

Small Prophets: Supporting cast and characters

Here is the list of supporting cast and characters in Small Prophets.

• Paul Kaye as Clea's brother, Roy.
• Sophie Willan as Michael's neighbour, Bev
• Jon Pointing as Bev's husband, Clive
• Shola Adewusi as another neighbour of Michael, Olive
• Ed Kear as Michael's co-worker, Brigham
• Charlotte Mills as an employee at Brian's care home, Hilary
• Adam Wright as Elliot
• Kathryn Drysdale as Bea
• Rhiannon Clements as Professor Drinkwater
• Howard Gossington as Bob

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