the long haul
IN the Long Run’s Jimmy Akingbola has hinted at fourth and fifth seasons with Idris Elba in the wake of Black Lives Matter.
Jimmy, 42, plays Valentine in the hit Sky comedy, which returns tonight for its third season.
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The sitcom follows a family from Sierra Leone living in London in the mid 1980s, but in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and its recent protests, Jimmy believes it is more relevant than ever and should carry on for many seasons to come.
Appearing on today's Good Morning Britain, Jimmy explained: "We want mainstream content to be seen by everyone because it's universal stories, which is what In The Long Run is.
"We have a great comedy which is a British comedy but it's a first as it happens to focus on a family from west Africa, Sierra Leone."
He added: "It's great because there's always conversations, we're leading from the front in some ways."
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In the Long Run sees Idris' character Walter and wife Agnes' (Madeline Appiah) quiet life in East London disrupted by the arrival of his exuberant brother Valentine.
Season three will see the brothers' mother arrive from Sierra Leone, bringing a whole new dynamic and more hilarity to proceedings.
Jimmy continued: "We've been doing this for three years, it's our third season, we want to celebrate that.
"We are very optimistic about the future, I'm hoping we get season four and maybe season five."
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Jimmy went on to reveal it wasn't just the cast that was diverse, but behind the scenes too.
He said: "But what I love is that you've got a great cast, and then the writer's room is very diverse.
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"It's very diverse, it's the first time I've worked with a black DOP (Director of Photography), Kelvin Richard. We've got female directors and producers, that's the way it should be."
Jimmy was full of praise for his co-star Idris, 47, who also created the show.
He said: "You have to respect Idris, if you look at Idris and what he's doing, we wouldn't have these jobs without him and you have to respect Sky because their slate is impressive."
In the Long Run airs tonight at 10pm on Sky One.
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