REVIEW: 'In the Long Run'

In a change of pace for star and creator Idris Elba, this 1985-set series, which feels very much like a product of the era it depicts, is a family comedy inspired by the actor’s experience growing up in north-east London.

Elba plays Walter Easmon, a character with elements of his own father, whose happy life with his wife and son (based on Elba himself) is turned upside down when Walter’s party-loving, responsibility-challenged DJ brother arrives from Sierra Leone.

Tonight! A lifetime in the making, literally! 10pm @SkyOne Thank you @GDPicsUK @SproutPictures @BillBailey @JimmyAkingbola @Madeline_Appiah @KelShirl and full cast for making this real!!! S/O @Eddy_Grant !!! pic.twitter.com/mFN7WvT7pv
— Idris Elba (@idriselba) March 29, 2018

Featuring easy laughs and a killer 1980s soundtrack, In the Long Run makes for comfortable viewing that is a world away from the grittier Luther (which returns for a new season in the coming weeks). (Starts Tues., Jan. 15 at 9.40pm; ABC Comedy) 3 stars

Gavin Scott

After cutting his teeth on teen titles Smash Hits and TV Hits (remember them?) in the 2000s, Gavin moved into weekly magazines, working for TV Week for many years and continuing to contribute to that title to this day, and writing for Who, Woman’s Day, New Idea and OK over the past decade or so. He’s also worked for digital outlets, writing and editing for SBS, Pedestrian and Who.com.au, and has hosted and produced TV and music podcasts. Entertainment in all its forms has been Gavin’s focus, whether that be interviewing the latest eliminated contestant from Survivor; reviewing the newest films, TV series and albums; writing opinion pieces about streaming platforms and their offerings; or talking to Australian pop stars past and present about their musical journey. As a long-time freelancer, Gavin goes where the work takes him, with one hand on the remote and the other scrolling through his phone for entertainment updates.

Instagram

Related stories