Seven months after the first season aired on BBC Two, and became the BBC’s biggest new comedy series of the year so far, the future of Small Prophets has finally been confirmed.
As has long been expected, the series – created by Detectorists' Mackenzie Crook – will return for a second season, which will see it make the move from BBC Two to BBC One.
It is thought that Pearce Quigley, Lauren Patel, Sir Michael Palin and Crook will all return as their characters for season 2, which will be made by production companies Treasure Trove Productions and Channel X North.
Crook said in a statement: "I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to tell the second half of this strange story and as intrigued as anyone else to find out what happens to Michael Sleep in his mystical quest.
"The prophets have foretold that series 2 will be happening next year and, as we know, they are compelled to speak the truth."
Meanwhile, producer Gill Isles said: "It’s a real privilege to be producing the second series of Small Prophets. Mackenzie has created such a distinctive, magical world, and I can’t wait to return to Marvin Gardens and help bring this new chapter to life."
Emma Lawson, BBC interim director of comedy, added: "We’re beyond delighted to be bringing Small Prophets back for a second series. Mackenzie has created a world packed with wonder, magic and unforgettable characters which feels completely unlike anything else on television and we can’t wait to see where the story takes us next. To be continued…"
The first season introduced us to Quigley's Michael Sleep, an eccentric man whose partner Clea disappeared seven years ago. One day, when his dad Brian, played by Palin, shared an old recipe to create Homunculi, he started trying to conjure up the magical prophesying spirits to predict the future.
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Patel plays Michael's colleague Kacey, with whom he develops an unlikely friendship, and Crook plays Gordon, their manager at a DIY store.
Other cast members for season 1 included Sophie Willan and Jon Pointing, who played Michael's nosy neighbours.
Earlier this year, Crook told Deadline that he wanted to write an eight-episode second season and then "leave it there".
"I haven’t written it yet," he explained. "I don’t know exactly what happens, but I think that would be great. First half [ends with] to be continued. Second half; the end. And there’s your story."
Small Prophets is available to stream now on BBC iPlayer.
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