Mackenzie Crook, the actor behind iconic roles like Gareth Keenan in The Office, has ventured into new territory with Small Prophets, a BBC Two six-parter that explores themes of middle age, loneliness, and the supernatural. In this gentle comedy, Crook plays Gordon, a DIY store manager navigating life's disappointments without the West Country accent of his Gareth alter ego.
In contrast to the cringe-worthy humor of The Office, Small Prophets is a more subdued, melancholic affair, where Crook's character Michael stumbles upon miniature, fully formed humans known as homunculi that offer cryptic answers to life's mysteries. This surreal element adds a layer of complexity to the show, making it both fantastical and strangely relatable.
Crook's journey into writing and directing has led him to explore his love for storytelling in a more introspective way. "I wanted to write something that wasn't cruel humour, that didn't have a cringe factor," he admits. This approach has resulted in a show that is both poignant and quirky, tackling themes of middle age with sensitivity and humor.
As an actor, Crook has always been drawn to complex characters, but his own experiences with fame have made him more selective about his projects. "Acting I'm not that fussed about," he says candidly. "It's fun. But I'm not that into it anymore." This self-awareness is reflected in Small Prophets, where Crook takes a more behind-the-scenes approach to storytelling.
Crook's passion for metal detecting and its idiosyncratic heroes has also influenced his writing style. Detectorists, the show he co-created with Toby Jones, has gained a devoted fan base due to its unique blend of humor, heart, and quirky characters. Similarly, Small Prophets has attracted superfans who appreciate its offbeat charm.
When it comes to genre-bending projects like Small Prophets, Crook acknowledges that it's all about finding the right tone. "I don't want to flag up anything," he says with a chuckle. "I don't want to tell people when to laugh, when to cry, what to feel." This approach requires trust in the audience and a willingness to take risks, which is evident in Crook's creative choices.
As Small Prophets makes its way onto BBC Two and iPlayer from February 9th, fans can expect more of this gentle, melancholic humor and the unique blend of fantasy and reality that Crook brings to his storytelling.
In contrast to the cringe-worthy humor of The Office, Small Prophets is a more subdued, melancholic affair, where Crook's character Michael stumbles upon miniature, fully formed humans known as homunculi that offer cryptic answers to life's mysteries. This surreal element adds a layer of complexity to the show, making it both fantastical and strangely relatable.
Crook's journey into writing and directing has led him to explore his love for storytelling in a more introspective way. "I wanted to write something that wasn't cruel humour, that didn't have a cringe factor," he admits. This approach has resulted in a show that is both poignant and quirky, tackling themes of middle age with sensitivity and humor.
As an actor, Crook has always been drawn to complex characters, but his own experiences with fame have made him more selective about his projects. "Acting I'm not that fussed about," he says candidly. "It's fun. But I'm not that into it anymore." This self-awareness is reflected in Small Prophets, where Crook takes a more behind-the-scenes approach to storytelling.
Crook's passion for metal detecting and its idiosyncratic heroes has also influenced his writing style. Detectorists, the show he co-created with Toby Jones, has gained a devoted fan base due to its unique blend of humor, heart, and quirky characters. Similarly, Small Prophets has attracted superfans who appreciate its offbeat charm.
When it comes to genre-bending projects like Small Prophets, Crook acknowledges that it's all about finding the right tone. "I don't want to flag up anything," he says with a chuckle. "I don't want to tell people when to laugh, when to cry, what to feel." This approach requires trust in the audience and a willingness to take risks, which is evident in Crook's creative choices.
As Small Prophets makes its way onto BBC Two and iPlayer from February 9th, fans can expect more of this gentle, melancholic humor and the unique blend of fantasy and reality that Crook brings to his storytelling.
! I've always loved him in The Office, but I think he's really outgrown that character and is trying something more mature with this one. I mean, who wouldn't want to watch a gentle comedy about middle age and supernatural homunculi? It sounds like a real thinker's show, you know? 
. But what really gets me is that Crook has been open about how he wants to write shows that aren't just funny for the sake of being funny. He wants to make stuff that resonates, you feel? 
. And now, Small Prophets is basically the same vibe - quirky, offbeat, and full of heart. Can't wait to dive into it! Has anyone seen the trailer?
But Small Prophets sounds like a really special show, you know? It's not just about the supernatural element, it's about exploring these deeper themes of loneliness and middle age. And I think that's what makes it relatable - we've all felt that way at some point or another 
The fact that Crook is being so honest about his own experiences with fame is also really refreshing. It's like he's saying "okay, acting isn't everything to me anymore" and that's totally valid 
crook's got such a unique vibe going on with detective and it looks like he's really found his voice in small prophets. i love how gentle and quirky it is, it feels so soothing 
can't wait to dive into it! also gotta give props to the show for tackling middle age in a way that's both real and relatable 
mackenzie crook's new show is literally giving me all the feels, you know? like, it's not your typical comedy, but in a good way? it's got this weird surreal vibe that just draws you in and makes you wanna watch more. i love how he's playing with these themes of middle age and loneliness, and adding this whole supernatural twist is genius. 
and the fact that he's being super intentional about avoiding cringe humor is so refreshing! his passion for metal detecting and detectorists shows up in small prophets too, which is awesome. can't wait to see what he does next! 
His background in metal detecting also came into play, so it's interesting to see how his love for quirky characters influences this show. Will we get more of that Detectorists magic? 
Can't wait to watch Small Prophets and find out! 
. He's not afraid to take risks with Small Prophets and explores themes that might be a bit uncomfortable for some people, but in a gentle way 
. The combination of humor, fantasy, and introspection is really refreshing. I'm excited to see how his passion for metal detecting influences the show 
. It's clear he wants to tell stories that are both poignant and quirky, and I appreciate that about him 
. Can't wait to dive into Small Prophets on BBC Two! 
. He's definitely proven himself as an actor and writer, but I love how he's pushing the boundaries by creating something so unique and offbeat 
. The homunculi plot twist is genius 
️. I'm excited to see how fans respond to it and whether we'll get another season 
.