Everything we know so far about new Liverpool drama The Cage

Hot on the heels of This City is Ours BBC One has announced a brand-new high-energy crime story set in Liverpool.

‘Character-driven’ and ‘full of heart’, The Cage is the second series created by BAFTA-nominated writer Tony Schumacher.

It’s set within the world of a Liverpool casino, so you know it’s going to be a thrilling watch.

And here’s everything we know so far…

What is The Cage about?

The Cage is going be a hard-hitting crime story set within the world of a Liverpool Casino with two ‘unforgettable characters’ at its heart. The drama begins when central characters Leanne and Matty discover they are both robbing from the safe at the inner-city casino they work in. From then, their lives are set on a collision course – but not just with each other, with the local gangster they’re stealing from, and with the police.

Who’s starring in it?

They’ve got two great names starring in The Cage: Cilla, The C Word and Mrs Biggs actress Sheridan Smith is playing Leanne, and Michael Socha – The Gallows Pole and Showtrial – is Matty.

How many episodes are there?

This will be a five-part drama, directed by Al Mackay (Kidnapped, Without Sin).

Where’s it been filmed?

The Cage is being filmed in and around Liverpool and Merseyside – and we already know Sheridan has been spotted driving around Water Street and Liverpool Town Hall in a yellow Fiat Multipla and standing knee-deep in Sefton Park lake.

When is it being broadcast?

That’s the bit we don’t know yet – but we know we can’t wait until it is!

Where will it be shown?

It will be on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

What else has Tony Schumacher written?

Tony, himself a former police responder, was the BAFTA-nominated creator of The Responder starring Martin Freeman as Chris Carson, a crisis-stricken, morally compromised, unconventional urgent response officer on the beat in Liverpool. He says: “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. I’m hoping people will find it funny, dark, but most of all full of love, life and entertainment. I can’t wait for the world to see it.”

The Cage is from the makers of Normal People

It’s produced by Freemantle company Element Pictures who also produced romantic psychological drama Normal People, which starred Paul Mescal and Daisy Edgar-Jones. Executive producers Christopher Aird and Hilary Martin say: “Tony writes characters from the heart that break your heart. 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.”

Lindsay Salt, director of BBC Drama, adds:

“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. Viewers are in for a treat.”#

Find out more about The Cage here.

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