The Cage, a gripping new crime drama set in Liverpool, has premiered on BBC One and iPlayer. Written by Tony Schumacher, known for The Responder, the series stars Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha as casino employees entangled in the city's criminal underworld.
What happens in The Cage?
Set in a casino called The Envoy, the story follows Leanne (Smith) and Matty (Socha), who both discover they are secretly stealing from the safe. Their actions put them on a collision course with each other, a local gangster, and the police. Leanne cares for her grandmother with dementia and faces losing her home, while Matty is a gambling addict and alcoholic involved with drug dealers. When the casino's owner, crime boss Gary Packer (Barry Sloane), learns of the theft, tensions escalate.
Who stars in The Cage?
Sheridan Smith leads as Leanne Chapel, with Michael Socha as Matty Flynn. Smith is known for No Return, I Fought the Law, and sitcoms like The Royle Family and Gavin & Stacey. Socha is famous for This Is England, Being Human, and Showtrial.
Barry Sloane plays gangster Gary Packer, with Geraldine James as his mother Nancy. James has appeared in Downton Abbey, Anne With an E, and Silo. Sophie Mensah portrays Detective Sergeant Fen Ning, and Freya Jones plays Matty's daughter Emily. Anton Bibby is Leanne's son Thomas.
Supporting cast includes Abby Mavers, Shaun Mason, Louis Emerick, Sue Jenkins, Ian Puleston-Davies, Julia Papp, Katy Carmichael, Isobel Khan, Gemma Barraclough, Dave Hart, Eileen O'Brien, Eithne Browne, Mona Goodwin, and Rose McDermott.
When will new episodes of The Cage be released?
All five episodes are available to stream on BBC iPlayer from today, Sunday 26th April. The first episode airs on BBC One at 9pm, with subsequent episodes airing weekly at the same time, concluding on Sunday 24th May.
