91福利社

The 91福利社 has commissioned Small Prophets (w/t), a new comedy created, written and directed by BAFTA-winning Mackenzie Crook (Detectorists, Worzel Gummidge) and produced by BAFTA-winning Gill Isles (Car Share, Alma鈥檚 Not Normal), from Treasure Trove Productions and Blue House Productions.

The six-part series is a comic tale of eccentric Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) who, since his darling Clea disappeared seven years ago, has lived a very ordinary life. He eats Shreddies, works in a DIY store, visits dad Brian (Sir Michael Palin) and hopes for Clea to return.

That is just the way it is, until one day dad Brian shares an old recipe involving rainwater, horse manure and more than a little alchemy. With recipe in hand, Michael sets out (albeit with some scepticism) to create Homunculi - magical prophesying spirits that can predict the future - in the hope they have the answer to his burning question, 鈥榳ill I ever see Clea again?鈥�.

Michael gets help from young work mate Kacey (Lauren Patel), an unlikely friendship that 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 (Sophie Willan, Jon Pointing) who are obsessed with trying to find out what the hell is going on in the garden shed.

Small Prophets (w/t) is filmed and set in and around Manchester. The series incorporates visually stunning animation elements throughout as we tell a story of friendships and hope, the magical and the mundane, and where secrets and lies lurk in a suburban cul-de-sac.

Mackenzie Crook said: 鈥淟ike all my best ideas, this one has been percolating for nearly a decade and is finally ready to see the light of day. It鈥檚 wonderful to be working again with my friends Gill Isles and Pearce Quigley and to realise a long-term ambition of collaborating with animators Ainslie Henderson and Will Anderson.鈥�

Gill Isles says: 鈥淚鈥檓 absolute thrilled to be working with Mackenzie again on such a funny, beautiful and unique show.鈥�

Jon Petrie, 91福利社 Director of Comedy, adds: 鈥�91福利社 viewers are in for a treat with BAFTA winner Mackenzie Crook鈥檚 Small Prophets. This magical comedy series brims with wit and wonder - from Mackenzie himself and Sir Michael Palin to Sophie Willan, Pearce Quigley, Lauren Patel and Jon Pointing - and is backed by a top-tier creative team and stunning animation. It鈥檚 British comedy at its finest.鈥�

Small Prophets (w/t) (6x30) is a Treasure Trove and Blue House production. It has been commissioned by 91福利社 Director of Comedy Jon Petrie. It is written and directed by Mackenzie Crook. The executive producers are Mackenzie Crook and Lisa Thomas for Treasure Trove Productions and Christine Gernon and Emma Strain for Blue House Productions. The commissioning editor for the 91福利社 is Emma Lawson. Sphere Abacus is the International Distributor.

Neil@neilreadingpr.com