Sky One’s Idris Elba comedy, In The Long Run, is shooting its second and third series back to back. The 1985-set sitcom draws inspiration from Elba’s own childhood, with the Luther star serving as creator and star on the project.

Trusted industry website The Knowledge Online reports that Elba’s own ‘Green Door Pictures’ company is working with a company named ‘Sprout Pictures’ to produce not one but two series for Sky One to broadcast. The shoot has begun, it would seem.

Alongside Elba in the cast are Bill Bailey, Jimmy Akingbola, Madeline Appiah and Kellie Shirley. If you’re unfamiliar with the show, Sky’s official press pack, for the show’s first series, described it thusly:

“In the Long Run is a comedy about family, community and what home really means. London 1985. Amid the tower blocks and shellsuits, life for Walter (Elba) and Agnes Easmon (Madeline Appiah) is all about quiet routine. They arrived from Sierra Leone 13 years ago and are happy earning enough to pay the bills with a bit left over to send back home.

“Walter works hard alongside his friend and neighbour Bagpipes (Bailey) at a nearby factory while Agnes patrols the estate selling make-up door to door. Their British-born son Kobna (Sammy Kamara) and his best mate Dean (Mattie Boys) hang out on the estate playing football and doing their best to dodge the local thugs.

“But then Walter’s brother Valentine (Jimmi Akingbola) arrives and his exuberance and lust for life changes everything. Looking to make a life for himself in the UK, he crashes into their lives bringing laughter, music and chaos. He quickly finds work, falls in love and ignites a passion for music in Kobna. He may frustrate Agnes and test Walter’s patience but Kobna adores his uncle Valentine and, after all, he is family.”

Filming for In The Long Run series 2 and series 3 is underway now, and the show’s six-episode debut series is available on Now TV if you need to catch up.

We’ll keep you posted as we hear more.