THE CAGE: FIRST LOOK AND FURTHER CASTING ANNOUNCED FOR NEW BBC DRAMA STARRING SHERIDAN SMITH

The BBC has released first-look pictures and announced further casting for new drama The Cage, written and created by BAFTA nominated Tony Schumacher (The Responder) and produced by Element Pictures, a Fremantle company (Poor Things, Normal People), for BBC iPlayer and BBC One.

The Cage is a high-stakes, high energy crime story set within the world of a Liverpool Casino with two unforgettable characters at its heart. Joining BAFTA award-winner Sheridan Smith (Cilla, The C Word, Mrs Biggs) and Michael Socha (The Gallows Pole, Showtrial) are Barry Sloane (House of the Dragon) as Gary.

Plus Geraldine James (Dope Girls) as Nancy, Anton Bibby as Thomas, Freya Jones as Emily, Sophie Mensah (Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale) as Fen, Abby Mavers (Waterloo Road) as Kelly, Shaun Mason (Extraordinary) as Alan, Louis Emerick as Paul (The Power of Parker), Ian Puleston Davies (Tin Star) as Vincent, Julia Papp (Baptiste) as Irina.

Also Katy Carmichael (Malpractice) as DCI Hannigan, Dave Hart (The Responder) as Danny, Eileen O’Brien (Not Going Out) as Nanna, Eithne Browne (The Responder) as Annie, Mona Goodwin (Extraordinary) as Trace, and more.

When Leanne (Smith) and Matty (Socha) discover they are both robbing from the safe at the casino they work in, their lives are set on a collision course; with each other, the local gangster they're stealing from, and the police. The five-part thrilling characterful drama is directed by Al Mackay (Kidnapped, Without Sin) and shot in and around Liverpool and Merseyside.

Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, says: “The Cage is character-driven, hugely entertaining and full of heart, and I’m delighted that Tony has chosen the BBC to be the home of his second series following on from the success of The Responder. With Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha leading the cast, Al Mackay directing and the team at Element Pictures producing, viewers are in for a treat.”

Tony Schumacher says: “Coming back to the BBC with my second major show and being able to work with such talents as Sheridan, Michael and the teams at Element Pictures and the BBC is such an honour. On top of that, having a director of Al's calibre really is the cherry on the big Liverpool drama cake we're baking together. I'm hoping people will find it funny, dark, but most of all full of love, life and entertainment and I can't wait for the world to see it.”

Christopher Aird and Hilary Martin, Element Pictures and Fremantle executive producers, say: “We’re excited to be producing Tony’s unique drama for the BBC. Tony writes characters from the heart that break your heart, and we’re thrilled Sheridan and Michael are going to be playing Leanne and Matty. The Cage is a crime show, a show about family and a love story of sorts. It is by turns funny, poignant, thrilling, and sad; we know Al Mackay will bring his love of real-world characters to tell Tony’s story with verve and energy.”

The Cage is an Element Pictures (a Fremantle company) production and was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama.