IDRIS’ NEW SHOW

SKY ONE/NOW TV, THURSDAY 29 MARCH, 10PM

We’re used to mean and moody Idris Elba, whether we’re watching him as Stringer Bell in the legendary US show The Wire, or as grizzled detective DCI John Luther in, um, Luther (returning later this year). But now, we get to see him in a whole new light, as a lovable father figure in this new six-part frothily fun comedy, which he also created.

BACK TO THE ’80S

The show is loosely based on Elba’s own upbringing during the 1980s in an east-london tower block, as the son of immigrants from Sierra Leone. Idris plays Walter Easmon, a character based on his father, whose pithy observations on family life bookend each episode. His firm, no-nonsense wife Agnes (Madeline Appiah) does not suffer fools gladly, which becomes very clear when Walter’s brother Valentine (Jimmy Akingbola) suddenly arrives from Africa, needing a place to stay. A battle of wits – and vivid ’80s fashion – ensues.

DOWN WITH THE KIDS

The whole show is stolen by the young characters: the Easmons’ British-born son Kobna (Sammy Kamara) and his best mate Dean (Mattie Boys), who spend much of their time avoiding the attentions of the local dodgy youths. Dean is the son of the Easmons’ neighbours, a slightly peculiar couple made up of Bagpipes (yes, really), played by the great comic Bill Bailey, and his wife Kirsty (Kellie Shirley). Bagpipes and Walter are also work colleagues at the local factory, so it all fits together nicely. After a perfectly decent opener, which introduces all these characters and their world, the show really takes off from episode two with a lovely deepening of the friendship between Elba’s Walter and Bailey’s Bagpipes, so to speak. All six episodes of the series will be available to watch from next Thursday.