The Cage is the next BBC One crime drama to watch if you loved The Responder, described as a “high-stakes, high-energy crime story set within the world of a casino with two unforgettable characters at its heart”.

Like recent hit This City is Ours, cast and crew filmed the series in Liverpool. And the similarities don’t stop there. It also has some pretty impressive cast in the line-up – not least Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha.

So here’s everything you need to know about The Cage on BBC One, including cast, plot, start date and location…

What is the plot of The Cage on BBC One?

The Beeb has described The Cage as a “high-stakes, high-energy crime story set within the world of a Liverpool Casino with two unforgettable characters at its heart”.

Viewers are introduced to inner-city casino staff members Leanne and Matty – who are BOTH stealing money from the safe at their place of work. When they find each other out, their lives are set on a collision course – with each other, the local gangster they’re stealing from, and the police.

Christopher Aird, Element Pictures and Fremantle executive producer, said: “We’re excited to be producing Tony Schumacher’s unique drama for the BBC. Tony writes characters from the heart that break your heart. 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.”

How many episodes is it? How can I watch it?

The thrilling characterful drama is five episodes in total, with each instalment being an hour long.

Like Ten Pound Poms, and Virdee before it, we’re expecting The Cage to drop as a boxset on BBC iPlayer, as well as airing on BBC One.

Where is it set? What’s the location?

The Cage was shot in and around Liverpool and Merseyside.

TV viewers will have noticed that the Beeb is increasingly filming across the UK, as opposed to the formerly London-centric locations.

Virdee was filmed and set in Bradford, while This City is Ours was also filmed in Liverpool. Silent Witness is also heading further north. In 2023, the BBC announced a move to the West Midlands, indicating that future series will be largely shot around Birmingham.

Who’s in the cast of The Cage on BBC One?

Sheridan Smith will lead the cast as Leanne. Of course, the actress is well known to TV fans as a result of her roles in Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Cilla, Cleaning Up, Gavin & Stacey, Four Lives, and The Teacher.

More recently, she portrayed Lori in the thriller The Castaways.

Meanwhile, Michael Socha will play Matty. This is England fans will know the actor from playing Harvey. He’s also famous for portraying Tom McNair in Being Human, Will Scarlet in Once Upon a Time, and David Hartley in The Gallows Pole.

In 2024, he starred as charismatic and cocky officer PC Justin Mitchell in Showtrial series 2.

The Bay’s Barry Sloane joins the cast as Gary, alongside Dope Girls’ Geraldine James as Nancy. Brookside’s Louis Emerick will play Paul, while Corrie’s Ian Puleston Davies stars as Vincent.

Meanwhile, the supporting cast includes:

Liverpool Narcos’ Anton Bibby as Thomas.

Bolan’s Shoes’ Freya Jones as Emily.

Hollyoaks’ Sophie Mensah as Fen.

Waterloo Road’s Abby Mavers as Kelly.

Time’s Shaun Mason as Alan.

Baptiste’s Julia Papp as Irina.

Coronation Street’s Katy Carmichael as DCI Hannigan.

The Responder’s Dave Hart as Danny.

Emmerdale’s Eileen O’Brien as Nanna.

Emmerdale’s Eithne Browne as Annie.

Doctors’ Mona Goodwin as Trace.

The Cage is ‘funny, dark, but most of all full of love’

Talking about the upcoming show, creator Tony Schumacher said: “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.”

When’s the start date? How can I watch it?

BBC One has not yet revealed the start date for The Cage.

It’s in the early stages of development, so we’re not expected it anytime soon. We’re very much hoping to see it on our screens later in 2025, or perhaps early 2026.

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The Cage will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer later in 2025 or 2026.