EarlyBird, the newly launched indie founded by Dom Bird, has landed its first commission from BBC One for an extended 20-episode run of The Marvellous Miniature Workshop.
The series was created by Bird in his previous role heading unscripted for Amazon MGM Alternative, sees presenter Sara Cox and a team of expert miniaturists recreate cherished buildings and locations tied to contributors’ personal histories.
The new order also comes with an extended episode duration of 45 minutes, to allow for more immersive storytelling and detailed craftsmanship. This follows the success of the debut eight-episode run, which aired in December 2025 and was nominated for a Royal Television Society award earlier this year. The show included recreations such as Manchester’s Crumpsall Library and a tribute to the mining community of the Silverwood Colliery, South Yorkshire.
Sara Cox returns to present the series, “guiding viewers through the intricate processes of miniature creation and the heartfelt narratives that underpin each project, celebrating the small-scale masterpieces which preserve profound memories and evoke powerful emotions.”
Sara Cox commented “I’m absolutely over the moon about the new series of Marvellous Miniature Workshop, it’s easily the most heartwarming & wonderful programme I’ve ever been involved with. I can’t wait to hear more stories, help unearth more memories and watch our superb miniaturists breathe life back into places long since gone or neglected.”
Dom Bird, Founder of EarlyBird, said: “I’m delighted Sara’s returning to BBC One for this new run. Seeing audiences respond so positively to The Marvellous Miniature Workshop has been a real pleasure and I’m thrilled that the BBC has commissioned EarlyBird to deliver this super-sized order. These extended 45-minute episodes will enable Sara to immerse viewers even further into the extraordinary artistry of our miniaturists, showcasing the programme’s exceptional ability to capture the magic in the minutiae.”
Rachel Platt, commissioning editor for BBC Daytime added: “We’re delighted to be able to bring back this absolute treat of a series with an extended run and run time. Sometimes small things need bigger packages!”
The Marvellous Miniatures Workshop has been commissioned for BBC One and iPlayer by Head of BBC Daytime and Early Peak Commissioning, Rob Unsworth. The Commissioning Editor for BBC Daytime is Rachel Platt. The programme is made by EarlyBird Productions, format licensed from Amazon MGM Studios. Dom Bird and Nicki Stoker will executive produce on behalf of EarlyBird, and it was developed by Phoebe Thompson.
Jon Creamer
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