BBC Renews ‘Small Prophets’ for Second Season on BBC Two

The BBC has renewed Mackenzie Crook’s comedy Small Prophets for a second season, set to premiere in 2027 on BBC Two after its first season aired on BBC One. This account is based on reporting by Deadline.

Deadline reports that Season 1 drew up to 9.2 million viewers and that Apple TV acquired worldwide rights to the first season last month. Pearce Quigley stars as Manchester resident Michael Sleep, whose partner Clea disappeared seven years earlier.

Impact assessment

For the BBC, the commission extends a comedy it described as a breakout hit, while the move places the series within BBC Two’s 2027 schedule strategy. The channel gains a returning programme with a reported large first-season audience, but the benefit depends on viewers following it from BBC One.

The renewal also opens a new production cycle for Crook, Quigley and the wider creative team ahead of 2027. Internationally, Apple TV’s Season 1 deal gives viewers an established route to the show, though no Season 2 rights agreement has been reported.

Scenarios

Our outlook (informed speculation):

Most likely: If the announced timetable holds and the core creative team remains available, Small Prophets returns on BBC Two in 2027 with promotion emphasizing its first-season performance and channel move. BBC Two’s longer-term benefit will depend on whether that audience returns. Production, casting and a prominent slot would support this path; a delay or another channel change would weaken it.

Upside: If BBC Two gives the series substantial promotion and Apple TV or another distributor secures Season 2 rights, the programme could gain broader international availability through and after its 2027 return. That could strengthen its standing as a continuing British comedy property and increase opportunities for its creative team.

Downside: If viewers do not follow the move from BBC One to BBC Two, the second season may have less leverage for another renewal after its run. A weaker fit could redirect future BBC comedy promotion and scheduling capacity toward other programmes.

What to watch next

BBC or the production team may announce filming, episode details or casting before the 2027 premiere. BBC Two’s eventual transmission date and slot will show how prominently it plans to position the series. A separate Season 2 rights announcement from Apple TV, the BBC or another distributor would determine whether international access extends beyond Season 1.