BBC announces new drama "The Cage", starring Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha

The BBC has announced new drama "The Cage", written and created by BAFTA-nominated Tony Schumacher ("The Responder") and starring BAFTA award-winner Sheridan Smith ("Cilla", "The C Word", "Mrs Biggs") and Michael Socha ("The Gallows Pole", "Showtrial"). 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.

"The Cage" is an Element Pictures (a Fremantle company) production and was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. Hilary Martin serves as executive producer for Fremantle, Christopher Aird, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Element Pictures alongside Tony Schumacher and Sheridan Smith. Lucy Richer serves as executive producer for the BBC and Clare Shepherd will produce. Global sales will be handled by Fremantle.

When Leanne (Smith) and Matty (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. The five-part thrilling characterful drama will be directed by Al Mackay ("Kidnapped", "Without Sin") and shot in and around Liverpool and Merseyside.

Tony Schumacher celebrated the return to the BBC: "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," commented.

Meanwhile, Christopher Aird and Hilary Martin, Element Pictures and Fremantle executive producers, described some of the standout points of the title: ‘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," stated.

Finally, Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama, praised the team: ‘"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," highlighted.