In the Long Run cast: Who is in the cast of the Idris Elba series on Sky1?

Premiering on Sky 1 at the end of the month is brand new comedy sitcom written by Idris Elba.

In The Long Run is set in London in the 80s and os based on the actor’s childhood and family life growing up in the east end.

Episode one airs on March 29 at 8pm on Sky 1.

All episodes will be available to view on NOW TV on the same date.

The series will kick off with the Easmon family’s life being turned upside down when Walter’s (played by Idris Elba) younger brother Valentine (Jimmy Akingbola) comes to live with them.

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Who is in the cast of In The Long Run?

Idris Elba – Walter Easmon

Leading the cast is Idris Elba who plays Walter.

Elba is well-known for his prolific career in TV and film over the last number of years.

Hi major roles include starring in HBO’s The Wire and BBC’s Luther.

His character in the series is based on the actor’s own father and has lived in London for 13 years since moving from Sierra Leone.

He lives in east London with his wife Agnes and their son Kobna and while he’s happy to see his brother, he becomes exasperated with his wild ways.

Elba said it has been “bittersweet” playing a character based on his dad, who passed away a few years ago.

“But this character’s taken on a life of its own, you know. I’m not really doing an impression of my old man,” he said.

“He’s an immigrant who comes from Sierra Leone with his wife and sets up shop in London. He’s not particularly a comedic character, but my dad was the sort of life-of-the-party type of guy.”

Madeline Appiah – Agnes Easmon

Partners in Crime actress Madeline Appiah plays Walter’s wife Agnes.

Appiah has also appeared in Doctors and The Bill.

Agnes is described as “a typical polite housewife – but in private she rules the Easmon home with an iron fist and is always one step ahead of her husband and son”.

Based on Elba’s own mother, Appiah said Agnes is “a Ghanaian-Sierra Leonean woman, it’s 1985 and she is living in Leyton”.

“When we meet her she’s happy. They’ve come over years beforehand, and they’ve had that transition from what that would have been like in the 70s to finding their own community, their set-up, their rhythm.”

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Jimmy Akingbola – Valentine Easmon

Scene-stealer Jimmy Akingbola stars as Walter’s exuberant younger brother Valentine.

Akingbola is know for his roles in The CW’s Arrow as well as in series Living the Dream and Rev.

Fresh off the boat from Sierra Leone, the show chart’s Valentine hilarious adectment to life in cold, rainy London.

“He’s a bit of a fish out of water,” he says of his character.

“It’s the first time Valentine has come to London – I think he’s been missing his big brother and he comes over with that blind innocence.

“He’s determined but also he’s a guy who lives his life – he has fun and he doesn’t take things too seriously.

“I think he enjoys being the younger, cheeky brother,” he added.

Bill Bailey – Terry ‘Bagpipes’ De La Croix

Comedian Bill Bailey stars as the Easmon’s neighbour Bagpipes who is a “typical working class bloke”.

Bailey is well-known for his work as a stand up comic and has also starred in a number of series including Black Books and Spaced.

The husband of Kirsty and dada of 12-year-old Dean, Bagpipe’s relationship has been in trouble since Kirsty gave birth to a mixed-heritage baby after having an affair.

“He’s a bit naive, a bit gullible, a bit of a buffoon, but essentially he’s a good sort,” Bailey says.

On why his character is called Bagpipes, he explained: “Because of some terribly embarrassing incident that has never really been explained.

“It’s all a bit vague: he worked in a hardware store, something happened with a vacuum cleaner and nobody knows what. And he doesn’t want to talk about it.”

Kellie Shirley – Kirsty De La Croix

Eastenders actress Kellie Shirley plays Agnes’ friend and Bagpipes’ wife Kirsty.

Shirley is best known for her role as Carley Wicks on the BBC soap.

Kirsty is described as “friendly, fun-loving, and a hopeless romantic”.

Her affair a few years previous still affects her marriage to Bagpipes, who she loves dearly.

“She’s a breath of fresh air, she’s fun, she likes a drink, she’s a great friend, she tries to be a good mum – I think she’s a good mum – but she’s maybe not the best wife,” Shirley said.

Sammy Kamara – Kobna Easmon

Sammy Kamara is playing Kobna who is based on a young Idris Elba himself.

This is Kamara’s second role. He portrayed schoolboy Damilola Taylor in Damilola, Our Loved Boy in 2016.

12-year old Kobna is given a taste of freedom when Valentine arrives in Leyton.

“He’s a bit cheeky,” he says of his character.

“He’s always calling his uncle the houseboy. And he ran away once too. He’s a good boy, but he can get up to all kinds of mischief.”

Mattie Boys – Dean De La Croix

Dean is Kirsty and Bagpipe’s 12-year-old son who is best friends with Kobna.

Boys has previously starred in short film Jake the Magnificent in 2015.

he describes his character as “a bit of a funny boy”

“He’s quite cheeky, but he’s also a bit dumb and thick!”

In the Long Run airs on Sky1 on March 29 at 8pm.