FIRST LOOK The Cage

Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha lead Tony Schumacher's new drama for BBC One, set within the world of a Liverpool Casino.

BBC One has today released a first look at their new five-part character-driven drama, The Cage, written and created by Tony Schumacher, which promises to be a high-stakes, high energy crime story set within the world of a Liverpool Casino with two unforgettable characters at its heart.

When Leanne and Matty, played by Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha, discover they are both robbing from the safe at the inner-city 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.

Joining Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha in The Cage, will be Barry Sloane as Gary, Geraldine James as Nancy, Anton Bibby as Thomas, Freya Jones as Emily, Sophie Mensah as Fen, Abby Mavers as Kelly, Shaun Mason as Alan, Louis Emerick as Paul, Ian Puleston Davies as Vincent, Julia Papp as Irina, Katy Carmichael as DCI Hannigan, Dave Hart as Danny, Eileen O’Brien as Nanna, Eithne Browne as Annie, Mona Goodwin as Trace, and more.

Made by Element Pictures, The Cage will be directed by Al Mackay, produced by Clare Shepherd, shot in and around Liverpool and Merseyside and will be executive produced by Hilary Martin for Fremantle, Christopher Aird, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Element Pictures, Lucy Richer for the BBC as well as Tony Schumacher and Sheridan Smith.

The Cage will air on BBC One