Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley, The Gentlemen) is dealing with the disappearance of his beloved Clea, who hasn’t been seen for seven years. One day, his dad (Michael Palin) shares a recipe for creating Homunculi with alchemy. Horse manure might also be involved, but the thing to focus on is the alchemy.

These prophesising spirits can see into the future, and help Sleep answer the one question that’s been on his mind for years: will he ever see Clea again?

Along the way, he’ll get help from colleague Kacey (Lauren Patel, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl), and animosity from the boss they both hate (Crook). Along the way, Sleep will have to deal with nosey neighbours (Sophie Willan, Alma’s Not Normal, and Jon Pointing, Big Boys) trying to figure out exactly what is going in his shed.

“Like all my best ideas, this one has been percolating for nearly a decade and is finally ready to see the light of day,” said Crook.

“BBC viewers are in for a treat with BAFTA winner Mackenzie Crook’s Small Prophets,” said Jon Petrie, BBC director of comedy. “This magical comedy series brims with wit and wonder – from Mackenzie himself and Sir Michael Palin to Sophie Willan, Pearce Quigley, Lauren Patel and Jon Pointing – and is backed by a top-tier creative team and stunning animation. It’s British comedy at its finest.”