Where was Small Prophets filmed? Mackenzie Crook found his magic in Urmston, Stockport and the Bridgewater Canal
Small Prophets
Mackenzie Crook made Detectorists in the fields of Essex. He made it quietly, precisely and with complete attention to the specific character of a particular place. For Small Prophets – his BBC Two and Apple TV+ comedy about a suburban man who attempts to create magical prophesying spirits in his garden shed – he went to Greater Manchester. Specifically Urmston.
Small Prophets is created, written and directed by Crook and produced by his Treasure Trove Productions alongside Blue House Productions for the BBC. The six-part series premiered on BBC Two on February 9, 2026, airing weekly through March 16. Renewed for a second series on September 8, 2026. Apple TV+ acquired the series internationally, releasing it globally on October 7, 2026.
The cast includes Pearce Quigley as Michael Sleep – the eccentric whose partner Clea disappeared seven years ago, leaving him with a half-finished magical recipe and a garden shed full of possibilities. Michael Palin plays a key role. Lauren Patel, Sophie Willan, Jon Pointing, Paul Kaye and Kathryn Drysdale complete the ensemble. Willan and Pointing play Michael's neighbours – obsessed with finding out what is happening in that shed.
The series is both set and filmed in Urmston – the suburban township in Trafford whose residential streets provided the cul-de-sac at the heart of Michael Sleep's world. Residential scenes and cul-de-sac shots were filmed around Minehead Avenue and Flixton Road. Michael's house is at 30 Minehead Avenue.
The Garricks Head pub on Moorside Road in Flixton received a temporary makeover for the cameras, closing for two days while filming took place inside and outside the venue.
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The Wickes hardware store at 4 Manchester Road in Stockport served as the exterior of the fictional Toolbox shop where two of the main characters work. The neighbouring JYSK, Halfords and Greggs stores at the retail park are also clearly identifiable in the background.
At 94 Lower Hillgate in Stockport, the Covent Garden Café was transformed into Pickles Diner for scenes featuring Paul Kaye and Kathryn Drysdale.
Towpath and canal-side locations near the M60 at junction 7 and around Sale and Crossford Bridge also featured – the Bridgewater Canal's towpath providing the outdoor Greater Manchester landscape.
Small Prophets is on BBC iPlayer now and premieres October 7, 2026 on Apple TV+.
SOURCE
The Manc // IMDb // Apple TV+ // BBC
CREDITS
© BBC Film, Blue House Productions, Apple TV+
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