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.

F
X
R
W
E

Episode menu

Series 1, Episode 2

In The Long Run. Image shows from L to R: Bagpipes (Bill Bailey), Kirsty (Kellie Shirley). Copyright: Sprout Pictures
Valentine goes for a job interview for him at the car parts factory where Walter works, and is joined by Bagpipes on an electrical job in a dingy flat.

Further details

As Valentine settles into London life, Agnes and Walter suggest he finds a trade instead of just taking occasional odd jobs. By way of encouragement, Walter arranges an interview for him at the car parts factory where he works.

Meanwhile, Bagpipes and Kirsty's anniversary is looming. It's a bit of a loaded time for both of them because of Kirsty's never-spoken-of affair that resulted in their three-year-old daughter, Melissa. In order to avoid the celebratory night out Bagpipes jumps at the chance to help Valentine with a cash-in-hand electrical job. The men turn up at the flat only to realise it's a brothel. They get the work done but Agnes and Kirsty are shocked and angry when they spot Valentine and Bagpipes leaving the disreputable flat, leading Bagpipes to confront the true source of his conflict with Kirsty.

Broadcast details

Date
Thursday 29th March 2018
Time
2:30am
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
Neil D'Souza Rajesh
Quincy Frank
Deno Driz Singing Boy
Ellen Thomas Mama (Voice)
Guest cast
Siân Goff Mags
Barbara D'Alterio Angie
Writing team
Claire Downes Writer
Ian Jarvis Writer
Stuart Lane Writer
Grace Ofori-Attah Writer (Additional Material)
Emma Brown Script Editor
Bill Bailey Writer (Additional Material)
Production team
Declan Lowney Director
Charlie Hanson Producer
Idris Elba Executive Producer
Gina Carter Executive Producer
Jon Mountague Executive Producer
Carleen Beadle (as Carleen Beadle-Larcombe) Line Producer
Ana Garanito Associate Producer
Adam Bokey Editor
Damien Creagh Production Designer
Catherine Willis Casting Director
Amanda Monk Costume Designer
Ray Coates Director of Photography
Sjaan Gillings Make-up Designer
Jay Arthur 1st Assistant Director

Press

In the Long Run, Sky 1 review

Idris Elba revisits 1980s Hackney with a deft comic touch.

Adam Sweeting, The Arts Desk, 30th March 2018

Share this page