Idris Elba is back on the little box!

A good dose of 80s nostalgia and a lot of laughs are coming to Sky 1 thanks to Golden Globe and SAG winning Idris Elba’s latest Sky Original Production, In the Long Run, which is loosely based on his own childhood.

Created by and featuring Idris, along with a cast that includes funny-man Bill Bailey, In the Long Run is a comedy about family, community and what home really means.

It’s the latest in a line of British comedies announced for Sky 1 that also includes two other semi-autobiographical shows; Sick of It from Karl Pilkington and The Reluctant Landlord from Romesh Ranganathan. They join a slate of shows from some of the country’s biggest names that will all air at 10pm on Sky 1 – the later slot giving them a license to be a little more daring.

Set in London 1985, In the Long Run is about the Easmon family. Amid the tower blocks and shell suits, life for Walter (Idris Elba) and Evelyn Easmon is all about quiet routine. They arrived from Sierra Leone 13 years ago and are happy earning enough to pay the bills with a bit left over to send back home. Walter works hard alongside his mate and neighbour Bagpipes (Bill Bailey) at the local factory while Evelyn patrols the estate selling make-up door-to-door. Their British born son Akuna and his best mate Scott hang out on the estate playing football and doing their best to dodge the local thugs.

Idris Elba

But when Walter’s brother Valentine arrives to the UK, his energy and lust for life changes everything. He crashes into their lives bringing laughter and chaos and igniting a passion for music in Akuna. And though he frustrates Evelyn and tests Walter’s patience, Akuna adores his ‘funcle’ Valentine because after all, he’s family.

With a production team that matches the on air talent including Exec Producers Idris Elba and Gina Carter (Moone Boy), Producer Charlie Hanson (Extras), Director Declan Lowney (Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa), Writers Claire Downes, Ian Jarvis & Stuart Lane (The Job Lot) and Grace Ofori-Attah. In the Long Run is a co-production between Green Door and Sprout Pictures.

Says Elba, “I’m really happy to be in comedy, bringing some joy into a world that needs some laughs. With a great team behind it I look forward to people seeing it. “

In the Long Run was ordered by Adam MacDonald, Director Sky 1, and Jon Mountague, Head of Comedy at Sky. Jon said: “We’re honoured to be working with Idris in what is an authentic, perceptive and deeply funny show. In the Long Run will surprise and delight viewers.”

Alongside Jack Whitehall, Nick Frost, Rupert Grint, Karl Pilkington and Romesh Ranganathan – Idris completes a fantasy line up on Sky 1 that has made all my comedy dreams come true.”

Comedy thriller Bounty Hunters starring Jack Whitehall and Oscar nominee, Rosie Perez is hitting Sky 1 screens soon, while Sick Note – Rupert Grint and Nick Frost’s tale of a terrible lie that spirals out of control will come in the next few months.

Sky 1 will also have new hour long comedy dramas at 9pm, including Living the Dream, a six-part series from the makers of Cold Feet starring Philip Glenister (Outcast, Mad Dogs) and Lesley Sharp (Scott & Bailey, Paranoid) as an English family attempting to live the American dream.

In The Long Run and all the forthcoming new comedy will also be available on streaming service NOW TV.

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