In The Long Run television review: Charming comedy-drama with real heart

The Queen was once head of state for Sierra Leone, a country which provided the background to actor Idris Elba’s new sitcom In The Long Run (Sky Atlantic, Wednesday).

By David Stephenson

PUBLISHED: PUBLISHED: 00:01, Sun, Apr 1, 2018

in the long run idris elba SKY

Idris Elba stars in In The Long Run

The actor was born in the UK after his parents had arrived here from the African country in 1973.

Now, his story, loosely reinterpreted, is an early 1980s comedy, which also stars Bill Bailey, the excellent Jimmy Akingbola as the wayward uncle/DJ and Elba playing his own father.

The first five minutes was a little like playing along with Radio 2’s Popmaster. In what year did Africa by Toto come out? Are you sure?

But it settled into a charming comedy-drama with real heart. There was even a scene about changing the lightbulbs in a brothel.

Surprisingly, no strip lighting.