Overview
- Apple announced the deal Friday, Aug. 28, 2026, securing worldwide rights from distributor Sphere Abacus to stream the six-episode first season on Apple TV from October 7 in all markets except the UK.
- Small Prophets premiered on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer earlier in 2026 and delivered the BBC’s strongest 28-day comedy launch on BBC Two since 2022.
- The series was created, written, directed by Mackenzie Crook and stars Pearce Quigley with supporting turns from Michael Palin, Lauren Patel, Sophie Willan, Jon Pointing and Paul Kaye.
- Critics and festivals praised the show, which won the International Panorama award at Series Mania and holds a 100 percent rating on Rotten Tomatoes, according to coverage.
- The acquisition shows Apple is willing to buy proven English-language hits after broadcast and could prompt more post-airing deals for British shows; Crook is reportedly writing an eight-episode follow-up but the BBC has not yet commissioned a second season.