BBC Comedy Chief Happy That ‘Small Prophets’ Didn’t Find an American Co-Producer: “They Would Have Pushed for a Wild Title”
BBC Comedy Chief Praises Success of Small Prophets
In a recent discussion at the BBC Comedy Festival, Jon Petrie, the BBC’s comedy chief, reflected on the remarkable success of Small Prophets, a show created by Mackenzie Crook. With nearly eight million views within the first 28 days of its launch, the series has emerged as the BBC’s largest scripted debut of 2026, marking a significant achievement for the network.
Discussing the show’s funding challenges, Petrie remarked on the difficulties of securing an American co-producer. He expressed concerns that an American collaborator might have interfered with casting choices, particularly regarding the lead role filled by Pearce Quigley. “It would have been hard to get Pearce Quigley in the lead,” he stated, adding, “Privately we were worried because you know what Americans are like; they would have insisted on having some mad name.”
During the same session, Ash Atalla, a producer known for The Office, humorously suggested that an American partner might have pushed for casting an established star like Pierce Brosnan instead of Quigley.
Petrie further noted that American co-producers often favor settings concentrated in London, highlighting a geographical disconnect. Alex Moody, head of comedy at Sky Studios, chimed in, humorously referencing instances where American executives pitched shows set in Cornwall while insisting on filming in the West Coast of Ireland, despite the vast distance separating the two locations.
Small Prophets, which tells the story of a man exploring alchemy and homunculi following his partner’s mysterious disappearance, benefitted from international sales distributor funding by Sphere Abacus. The series features notable actors including Michael Palin, Paul Kaye, Lauren Patel, and Jon Ponting.
Although Small Prophets has not yet been officially renewed, Crook has expressed intentions for a second season.
Petrie made his remarks in Liverpool alongside counterparts from ITV, Channel 4, and Sky. When asked about her own potential endorsement of the show, ITV comedy head Nana Hughes quipped that her colleague, Kevin Lygo, might have dismissed it. She urged the comedy sector to move away from high-budget comedy-dramas in favor of less costly half-hour comedies, which carry their own risks.
Channel 4’s comedy chief, Charlie Perkins, underscored the importance of casting suitable leads like Quigley, emphasizing that the most impactful comedies reveal the unique aspects of their characters. She highlighted emerging talents such as Sam Campbell and Josh Pugh, both set to feature in upcoming Channel 4 projects.
SNL UK’s Success and Challenges
Moody also pointed to the success of Saturday Night Live UK, which has been renewed for an extended 12-episode run and is generating buzz within the comedy community. He emphasized that many of its cast members began with limited television experience but have nonetheless thrived in the show.
Petrie expressed his admiration for SNL UK, stating, “I think it is better than the American one.” However, he acknowledged the substantial production costs involved, indicating that such a project might not be feasible for the BBC, given Sky’s significant marketing efforts for the show.
The comedy executives shared their insights in a session featuring James Corden and Ruth Jones at the Liverpool Comedy Festival.
