Prepare to be captivated by the captivating tale of Mackenzie Crook, an actor who has left an indelible mark on television. In his latest venture, Small Prophets, Crook takes on the role of Gordon, the manager of a bustling DIY store, and it's a role that will have you questioning the passage of time.
Small Prophets, a six-part series on BBC Two, introduces us to Gordon, a character that feels like a familiar face from The Office, but with a quarter-century's worth of life experiences added. Crook describes Gordon as "pedantic and job-worthy," a grown-up version of Gareth from The Office, but with a deeper layer of disappointment. "I wrote Gordon as a monster," Crook confesses, "but by the end, I found myself quite fond of him."
In real life, Crook exudes a jumpy, modest energy, a far cry from the characters he portrays on screen. His tattoos, once a surprise, now seem like a natural part of his persona.
The story of Small Prophets revolves around Michael, played by Pearce Quigley, whose performance is nothing short of heartbreakingly comedic. Michael, a middle-aged man with a tragic past, is a twitcher and a hoarder, working at the DIY store and visiting his father, Brian, every afternoon. Michael's girlfriend, Clea, disappeared without a trace seven years ago, a tragedy he carries with him silently.
At its core, Small Prophets could be seen as a delicate exploration of middle age. "Of course it is," Crook agrees, revealing his own obsession with this stage of life. "It crept up on me. Everything seems like it happened 20 years ago. It's a surprise to find myself with grown-up children." This sentiment, delivered with a touch of sorrow, is a classic Crook tangent, a blend of truth and exaggeration that leaves you both amused and reflective.
Michael's journey begins in a midlife rut, but it takes an unexpected turn when his father reveals a secret: he knows how to grow homunculi, miniature humans that can answer any question truthfully. Brian urges his son to follow the recipe, hoping the creatures might provide answers about Clea's disappearance. Michael, thinking his father has lost his marbles, follows the instructions, and the revelation of the homunculi is nothing short of fabulous. It's a moment that feels both unexpected and ordinary, a perfect blend of magic and realism.
Crook explains his fascination with stories of lonely people and ordinary individuals whose lives are turned upside down by extraordinary events. In Small Prophets, he creates a unique world influenced by giants of experiment and surrealism, including David Lynch, Michel Gondry, Charlie Kaufman, and Spike Jonze. He also draws inspiration from 70s and 80s shows like The Good Life and Ever Decreasing Circles, appreciating their lack of cynicism and cruelty.
Small Prophets is a project that Crook describes as his "gentle comedy," a genre he stumbled upon after The Office. "I wanted to write something without cruel humor, something that didn't make people cringe," he explains. "I like downplaying things, I don't want to tell people how to feel."
The Office, a show that embraced awkward situations and pushed them to the extreme, had a profound impact on Crook. Rewatching it recently, he experienced a PTSD-like flashback, remembering the excruciating scene where David and Gareth attempt to evacuate a disabled employee, only to give up halfway through, saying they'd definitely come back for her in a real fire. It's a moment that showcases the show's unique blend of humor and pain.
Crook's journey into fame after The Office was not without its challenges. "I became known as the weird-looking bloke," he recalls. "I thought, 'You've labeled me, but I don't think I look weird. Maybe I am, but surely kids at school would have said so?'" His name change, from Paul Crook to Mackenzie Crook, was a decision made when registering with Equity, the actors' union.
Writing, editing, and directing have become Crook's true passions. "Acting is fun, but I'm not that into it anymore," he confesses. "I've never been fully convinced by my acting. I always see myself acting my heart out, and when I watch The Office, I feel like I'm in a different show compared to the natural performances of Martin Freeman."
Detectorists, Crook's brainchild, started as a bleaker concept, envisioning two men in parkas standing in a ploughed field during the winter months. However, the pilot was shot on a hot summer day, and the beauty of the countryside inspired a shift in tone. Andy and Lance, played by Crook and Toby Jones, embody a quiet heroism, their hobby of metal detecting serving as a metaphor for their daily triumphs over disappointment.
Small Prophets, with its surreal and magical realism elements, is a more ambitious project for Crook. When he pitched the idea to the BBC, he envisioned a show where not all questions would be answered, where the fate of Clea or the security van thieves might remain unknown. "It's fantastical and strange, but hopefully not forced," Crook says, acknowledging the delicate balance he strives for.
The homunculi, created through stop-motion animation rather than CGI, are a nod to nostalgia, a deliberate attempt to infuse the show with magic. Crook, who doesn't believe in the supernatural, reveals a childhood fascination with unexplained phenomena, a fascination that influenced his love for stories like James and the Giant Peach and tales of lonely orphans.
Small Prophets, a unique blend of comedy and surrealism, is set to premiere on BBC Two and iPlayer on February 9th, offering viewers a chance to explore a world where the ordinary and the extraordinary collide.
