New images have been released for Small Prophets, the upcoming BBC comedy series created, written, and directed by BAFTA-winning filmmaker Mackenzie Crook. The six-part series, set to launch on BBC Two and iPlayer in early 2026, features a star-studded cast including Sir Michael Palin, Pearce Quigley, Lauren Patel, Sophie Willan, Jon Pointing, and Paul Kaye. Filmed in and around the Greater Manchester town of Urmston, the show blends everyday life with elements of oddball magic and animation.

The story follows Michael Sleep, played by Pearce Quigley, a quiet man whose partner Clea vanished seven years earlier. Since her disappearance, Michael has lived a simple life working in a DIY store, eating cereal, and occasionally visiting his father Brian, portrayed by Sir Michael Palin. The narrative takes a magical turn when Brian shares an old alchemical recipe involving rainwater, manure, and light alchemy, setting the central plot in motion.

Michael embarks on a quest to create Homunculi—tiny magical creatures believed to predict the future—with the help of his curious young colleague Kacey, played by Lauren Patel. As their unlikely friendship develops, their unusual behavior attracts the attention of nosey neighbors portrayed by Sophie Willan and Jon Pointing, who become obsessed with the activities in Michael's garden shed. Meanwhile, Clea's brother Roy, played by Paul Kaye, returns after falling on hard times, convinced his sister will never come back and determined to reclaim the family home.

Produced by Gill Isles for Treasure Trove and Blue House Productions, Small Prophets incorporates animated elements throughout the series. Crook described the project as having been "percolating for nearly a decade" and expressed excitement about collaborating with animators Ainslie Henderson and Will Anderson. BBC director of comedy Jon Petrie praised the series, stating it "brims with wit and wonder" and represents "British comedy at its finest."

London's Metropolitan Police has reversed its longstanding position on grooming gangs in the capital, acknowledging for the first time that it has multiple active investigations into group-based child sexual exploitation. The shift came after an investigation by MyLondon and The Daily Express challenged official statements from both police leadership and Mayor Sadiq Khan, who had consistently maintained there were "no reports" or "no indication" of Rochdale or Rotherham-style rape gangs operating in London.

The investigation uncovered evidence from four separate His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services reports spanning 2016 to 2025 that documented at least six potential victims of grooming gang abuse. These case studies, which the Mayor of London personally responded to according to public statements, described children as young as 13 being exploited by groups of predatory men. The reports detailed how girls were plied with drugs and alcohol, raped in hotels by multiple perpetrators, and subjected to life-threatening situations.

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley revealed to Assembly Members at City Hall that the force now acknowledges a "steady flow" of live multi-offender child sexual exploitation investigations and a "very significant" number of historic cases requiring reinvestigation. The commissioner estimated these reviews would cost "millions of pounds a year, for several years" to properly investigate, contradicting previous assertions that the force had "not seen" such cases in London.

Political figures including Reform UK MP Lee Anderson and Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp have criticized the mayor's handling of the situation, with Anderson stating there is "real, credible evidence that grooming gangs exist in London" and Philp alleging that Khan is "facilitating a cover-up." A spokesman for the mayor maintained that Khan has "always been clear that the safety of Londoners is his top priority" and remains "committed to doing all he can to protect children in London."