Mackenzie Crook Reflects on His Career Shift from The Office to Small Prophets
In a candid interview, actor and writer Mackenzie Crook opens up about his latest project, Small Prophets, a new six-part series on BBC Two. Crook, best known for his role as Gareth in the iconic sitcom The Office, reveals how he has consciously moved away from the cruel humour that defined his early fame to embrace a softer, more magical style of comedy.
From Gareth to Gordon: A Character Evolution
In Small Prophets, Crook portrays Gordon, the manager of a large DIY store. He acknowledges that Gordon might remind viewers of Gareth, but with a twist. "Pedantic and jobsworthy, he could be Gareth grown up, just with more disappointment, without the West Country accent," Crook explains. Initially written as a monster, Crook admits he grew fond of Gordon by the end, highlighting his nuanced approach to character development.
The series centres on Michael, played by Pearce Quigley, a middle-aged twitcher and hoarder grappling with a personal tragedy. Crook describes Michael's journey as a delicate rumination on middle age, a theme he personally relates to. "I'm a little bit obsessed by being middle-aged. It crept up on me. Everything seems to have been 20 years ago," he shares, adding a touch of his signature humour by lamenting the phrase "grownup children."
Magic Realism and Influences
Small Prophets introduces a fantastical element with homunculi—miniature truth-telling humans—created through stop-motion animation for a nostalgic feel. Crook cites influences from surrealists like David Lynch and Michel Gondry, as well as classic British shows such as The Good Life and Ever Decreasing Circles. "I've always been fascinated by stories of lonely people and ordinary people that something extraordinary happens to," he says, emphasising the blend of magic realism with everyday life.
Moving Beyond The Office's Cruelty
Crook reflects on his time in The Office, recalling a recent rewatch that evoked a visceral reaction. "Watching it, I had this real Pavlovian reaction where my heart just sank, because I knew something awful was coming up," he admits, referencing the show's cringe-inducing moments. This experience reinforced his desire to create humour without cruelty, leading to what he calls "gentle comedy."
He credits this shift to his work on Detectorists, where the BBC allowed him creative freedom. "It was so low stakes that they didn't have to meddle with it, they just let me go away and do whatever," Crook notes, contrasting it with the higher stakes of Small Prophets due to its surreal elements.
Personal Insights and Future Directions
Crook also touches on personal challenges, including being labelled "weird-looking" by the press after The Office. He expresses a preference for writing, editing, and directing over acting, stating, "Acting I'm not that fussed about. It's fun. But I'm not that into it any more." Despite this, he remains passionate about storytelling, drawing from childhood fascinations with the supernatural and lonely characters.
Small Prophets premieres on BBC Two and iPlayer from 9 February, offering viewers a unique blend of comedy, melancholy, and magic. Crook's journey from the painful humour of The Office to the gentle escapism of his new series showcases his evolution as a creator dedicated to crafting heartfelt, imaginative narratives.
