Although Idris Elba is typically associated with his roles in films, he is currently making a switch to the television industry. He has created a new television show that is loosely based on his own childhood and is part of the ensemble cast. The title of this new show is ‘In the Long Run’ The series goes back in time to the 1980s and is set in London. The storyline revolves around the Easmon family who has moved to England’s capital from Sierra Leone. Elba is playing the role of Walter Easmon. Other members of the ensemble cast include Mattie Boys Kellie Shirley and Bill Bailey. Elba’s own production company ‘Green Door’ is making the new series in collaboration with Sprout Pictures and Shingle, the production company of Gina Carter and Stephen Fry.
Elba’s character is the family patriarch. He is working at a local factory with Bagpipes, played by Bailey, who is his neighbor and friend. When Walter’s brother arrives in the UK from Sierra Leone, he brings chaos and turns the family’s life upside down. However, he spends time with Walter’s son and ignites a passion for music in him. In addition to creating and starring in the series, Elba will also serve as one of the executive producers. Gina Carter, known for ‘Moone Boy’ is also an executive producer. Co-directing the series are Cecile Emeke, who is known for ‘Insecure’, and Declan Lowney, known for ‘Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa’.
The creation of this series is a step in a completely different direction for Idris Elba, as fans are much more used to seeing him take on much more serious roles. He is especially well-known for his appearances in films and television series within the crime, thriller, and action genres. In terms of his television career, his best-known roles are DCI John Luther in ‘Luther’ and Stringer Bell in ‘The Wire’. His film roles are usually equally hard-hitting. In 2013, he played Nelson Mandela in ‘Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom’. Other films in which he has appeared include ‘American Gangster’, ‘Thor’ and its sequels, ‘Prometheus’, ‘Beasts of No Nation’, and ‘Pacific Rim’.
Although it may seem that he has taken a completely different path by creating and starring in the comedy series ‘In the Long Run’, he has done some light-hearted films in the past. In 2016, he provided voices for characters in three animations; Fluke in ‘Finding Dory’, Shere Khan in ‘The Jungle Book’, and Chief Bogo in ‘Zootopia’. This just shows the versatility of this award-winning actor. His talents extend beyond his work in the television and film industries as he is also a musician and DJ. Elba performs using the monikers DJ Big Driis or Big Driis the Londoner. His music is usually in the soul and hip-hop genres.
Fans of Idris Elba who are interested to see his new series ‘In the Long Run’ do not have long to wait. The first episode of the series will air on Sky One in the United Kingdom on March 29, 2018.
Follow Us
