Small Prophets is the new BBC programme from acclaimed writer and actor Mackenzie Crook, creating a “weird and wonderful new world” where the magical and the mundane unfold in a suburban cul-de-sac.

Crook, who is well known for playing Gareth Keenan in The Office and Ragetti in Pirates of the Caribbean, stars alongside legendary Monty Python member Sir Michael Palin, alongside a host of other stars of film and television.

Bolton will be represented by Sophie Willan, creator and star of Alma’s Not Normal, which centres on a Boltonian wild-child, Alma Nuthall and her family of eccentric, unruly women.

Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley) and Kacey (Lauren Patel)(Image: Vishal Sharma/BBC/PA Wire)

Willan will play one of the nosy neighbours of lead character, Michael Sleep (Pearce Quigley).

Small Prophets will also feature Lauren Patel as Michael’s coworker and friend, Kacey.

Lauren shot to fame as PC Mukherjee in last year’s Wallace and Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl and even attended the Oscars earlier this year after the film was nominated.

Gordon (Mackenzie Crook)(Image: Vishal Sharma/BBC/PA Wire)

Small Prophets will launch on iPlayer and BBC Two early next year and also stars Pearce Quigley, who appeared in Crook’s previous comedy Detectorists, as the main character, Michael, Game Of Thrones star Paul Kaye and Jon Pointing of Plebs and Big Boys.

The story, which is set in Manchester, centres around eccentric Michael Sleep (Quigley) whose partner Clea disappeared seven years ago.

Since then, Sleep has lived a very ordinary life, working in a DIY store with manager Gordon (Crook) and visiting his father Brian (Sir Michael).

One day Brian shares an old recipe involving rainwater and horse manure to create Homunculi – magical prophesying spirits that can predict the future.

Brian (Sir Michael Palin)(Image: Matt Squire/BBC/PA Wire)

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

Pearce, Lauren and Mackenzie(Image: Vishal Sharma/BBC/PA Wire)

”It’s wonderful to be working again with my friends Gill Isles and Pearce Quigley and to realise a long-term ambition of collaborating with animators Ainslie Henderson and Will Anderson.”

BBC director of comedy Jon Petrie said: “BBC viewers are in for a treat with Bafta winner Mackenzie Crook’s Small Prophets.

“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.”