BBC One's gripping new crime drama The Cage, starring Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha, has already captivated viewers just hours after its debut. The compelling series, crafted by The Responder's Tony Schumacher, aired last night (Sunday, 26th April) at 9pm, though all five episodes were made available on iPlayer that same morning.
While some viewers are patiently waiting for the live broadcast, others have been utterly captivated by the storyline and have already devoured most, if not all, of the series within hours of it landing on the streaming platform. The drama sees Smith portray Leanne, a single mother caring for her grandmother with dementia who, driven by desperation, has resorted to stealing from the casino where she works.
Upon discovering that her colleague Matty (played by Socha) has been doing the same to fund his gambling habit, the pair are forced to join forces and dodge detection by the casino's owner, local gangster Gary (Barry Sloane). Critics have already showered The Cage with glowing reviews, with Digital Spy declaring the series is "so alive with gripping tension you'll binge the lot".
The Telegraph awarded The Cage a rapturous five-star review, headlined: "Sheridan Smith is superb in the gripping follow-up to The Responder." The Guardian's glowing review was equally enthusiastic, describing the series as "an astonishing, deeply moving state-of-the-nation thriller". Viewers have also been captivated, with many claiming to have already devoured the entire series just a day after its debut.
One Facebook user wrote: "Watched all 5 episodes it was brilliant." Another concurred: "I binged watched it, brilliant series." While a further viewer noted: "I have watched 2 episodes and I'm enjoying it." The Cage continues Sundays on BBC One at 9pm and is available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
