British Comedy Guide
In The Long Run. Image shows from L to R: Kobna (Sammy Kamara), Agnes (Madeline Appiah), Walter (Idris Elba), Valentine (Jimmy Akingbola). Copyright: Sky
In The Long Run

In The Long Run

  • TV sitcom
  • Sky One
  • 2018 - 2020
  • 19 episodes (3 series)

Semi-autobiographical comedy created by and starring Idris Elba, set in mid-1980s Hackney. Also features Bill Bailey, Madeline Appiah, Jimmy Akingbola, Kellie Shirley, Sammy Kamara and more.

  • JustWatch Streaming rank this week: 1,600

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Episode menu

Series 3, Episode 1

In The Long Run. Image shows from L to R: Kobna (Sammy Kamara), Valentine (Jimmy Akingbola), Mama (Ellen Thomas), Walter (Idris Elba)
As Walter worries about whether his life on the Eastbridge will make his Mama proud, Valentine worries that Kobna is taking his place as the favourite one.

Further details

Mama comes to London! As Walter worries about whether his life on the Eastbridge will make his Mama proud, Valentine worries that Kobna is taking his place as the favourite one. For the first time in a while, life is good for Bagpipes, but a panic attack reminds him of the fragility of life which brings immediate changes in the De La Croix household. Meanwhile Agnes and the community gather to make the case for improvements on the estate, where even Mama lends a helping hand.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 23rd July 2020
Time
2am
Channel
Sky One
Length
30 minutes

Cast & crew

Cast
Idris Elba Walter
Bill Bailey Bagpipes
Madeline Appiah Agnes
Jimmy Akingbola Valentine
Kellie Shirley Kirsty
Sammy Kamara Kobna
Mattie Boys Dean
Ellen Thomas Mama
Malaki Paul Singing Boy
Guest cast
Arthur Nightingale Vic
Steve Furst Mr Padgett
Mensah Bediako Uncle Godfearing
Janet Kumah Auntie Joy
Martin Hancock Trevor
Matt Green Reverend
Rich Keeble Parent
Writing team
Jon MacQueen Series Consultant
Grace Ofori-Attah Writer
Production team
Sandy Johnson Director
Alex Walsh-Taylor Producer
Idris Elba Executive Producer
Gina Carter Executive Producer
Jon Mountague Executive Producer
Tilusha Ghelani Executive Producer
Ana Garanito Associate Producer
Alison B Matthews Line Producer
Adam Bokey Editor
Damien Creagh Production Designer
Catherine Willis Casting Director
Amanda Monk Costume Designer
Simon Vickery Director of Photography
Kelvin Richard Director of Photography
Maxine Dallas Make-up Designer
James BKS Composer
Steve Roberts 1st Assistant Director

Press

In the Long Run review

Review of the third series.

Carol Midgley, The Times, 24th July 2020

In the Long Run, series 3, episode 1, review

When did Idris Elba last make anything good?

Michael Hogan, The Telegraph, 23rd July 2020

Idris Elba returns for a third season of his semiautobiographical comedy about his upbringing in 1980s east London. Walter (Elba) is excited about the arrival of his mother from Sierra Leone, but his brother Valentine (Jimmy Akingbola) is soon disappointed at being usurped as the favourite child by Mama's grandson Kobna. Meanwhile, Bagpipes (Bill Bailey) experiences the unexpected return of his panic attacks, prompting a health kick, while planned changes to the Eastbridge estate might not mean the best outcome for the community.

Ammar Kalia, The Guardian, 22nd July 2020

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