Michael Socha Opens Up About Career, Dark Roles, and This Is England Reunion Rumours
Michael Socha, the British actor known for his roles in gritty dramas, is currently riding a wave of professional excitement. Fresh from a screening of his new BBC thriller, The Cage, Socha reflects on his two-decade career, his penchant for playing flawed characters, and the persistent whispers of a This Is England reunion.
Embracing the Dark Side in The Cage
In The Cage, a tense thriller set in a Liverpool casino, Socha portrays Matty, a general manager grappling with addiction and financial deceit. Written by Tony Schumacher of The Responder fame, the series delves into corruption, organised crime, and complex family dynamics. Socha, who kept his natural Derby accent for the role, describes the experience as "incredibly fun" despite the dark subject matter.
"I found the whole thing fun," he admits, noting the fast-paced, raw energy of the production. "You never know where you are. I enjoy that you're not stuck in one place for too long." Co-starring Sheridan Smith as his colleague Leanne, the pair form an unlikely alliance after discovering mutual theft from the casino safe. Socha and Smith, longtime friends, finally collaborated on this project, which he says was "nothing but fun."
A Career of Ups, Downs, and Dreadful Dads
Socha, now 38, has built a reputation for playing troubled fathers, from violent roles in What It Feels Like for a Girl to toxic characters in Toxic Town. "Shit dad, yeah," he laughs, acknowledging the pattern. "Fucking hell. Right. I'm going to get on to my agent." However, he points to a recent role in 500 Miles with Bill Nighy and Maisie Williams as a positive paternal portrayal.
His career began at 17 with This Is England, where he played Bully in the film and Harvey in the spin-off series. Leaving school without GCSEs, he credits the Television Workshop in Nottingham for his start, alongside alumni like Samantha Morton and Vicky McClure. "I couldn't believe people were able to pay mortgages and gas bills on the back of filming," he recalls. "I thought it was what everyone did for a hobby." Despite "white knuckle moments" and gaps in work, he feels fortunate to have sustained his career.
Circulating the This Is England Reunion Rumour
Rumours of a This Is England reunion have resurfaced, partly fuelled by co-writer Jack Thorne's comments earlier this year. Socha, who recently appeared on The One Show, was asked about the speculation. "They said, 'We heard a rumour last month that This Is England is coming back.' But I've not heard such a rumour," he says. However, he's eager to fan the flames: "I'll circulate the rumour even more, if it will get us another one." He has maintained a working relationship with director Shane Meadows, collaborating on The Gallows Pole.
Personal Life and Future Projects
Socha is guarded about his personal life, especially regarding his children. "I just don't like to talk about it," he states, respecting their privacy. Based in Derby, he has moved past his wilder days, focusing instead on hiking—a hobby he picked up during lockdown. He has completed challenging walks like the coast-to-coast path and the Camino de Santiago for charity.
Looking ahead, Socha's schedule is packed. He is currently filming The Witch House in Wales, followed by roles in Channel 4's Deadpoint and the film Young Stalin in Latvia. True to his nature, he prefers to keep moving: "I don't like to be stuck in one place for too long."
The Cage premieres on BBC One on 26 April, showcasing Socha's dynamic performance in a thriller that promises to grip audiences with its intense narrative and complex characters.
