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."

King Charles has joined forces with Oscar-winning actress Cate Blanchett in a previously unpublicized podcast recording focused on global conservation efforts. The 22-minute episode, titled "Unearthed: The Need For Seeds," was recorded in the private gardens of Windsor Castle in July and features the monarch alongside Blanchett and Kew seed scientist Dr. Elinor Breman. This marks only the second podcast recording in the King's public life, demonstrating his continued commitment to environmental causes that have defined much of his royal work.

The conversation centered on the Millennium Seed Bank at Wakehurst, West Sussex, which King Charles originally opened in 2000 and has maintained an active interest in since. The facility represents one of the world's most ambitious conservation projects, having collected, cleaned, dried and stored nearly 2.5 billion seeds from more than 40,000 plant species in walk-in freezers maintained at minus 20 degrees Celsius. Both the King and Blanchett, who became Wakehurst's first ambassador last year, emphasized the critical importance of this work in preserving global biodiversity.

During the discussion, Blanchett expressed concern about the rapid loss of natural habitats, noting that "97 percent of wildflower meadows have been decimated" in recent decades. She highlighted the disconnect between perceived natural beauty and actual ecological fragility, stating that "there is an urgency to the work that the seed bank does." The King echoed this sentiment, reflecting on his long-standing awareness of environmental degradation, particularly the damage to flower-rich meadows since the postwar period.

The podcast also touched on broader conservation challenges, including the need for increased funding and public awareness. Blanchett pointed to the frustration of seeing "so many extraordinary initiatives right there ready to be scaled up" but lacking financial support and direction. King Charles acknowledged both the progress made and the need to accelerate conservation efforts, stating that while the seed bank's work is "wonderful," the process must speed up to address escalating environmental threats facing plant species worldwide.