BBC Unveils Trailer for New High-Stakes Crime Drama ‘The Cage’ Starring Sheridan Smith

The story centers on Leanne (played by BAFTA-winner Sheridan Smith), a charismatic cashier at an inner-city casino.

RMN Stars TV Desk
New Delhi | April 16, 2026

The BBC has released the first trailer for The Cage, a gripping new five-part crime drama written and created by BAFTA-nominated Tony Schumacher (The Responder). The series, produced by the award-winning Element Pictures (Poor Things, Normal People), is set to premiere on Sunday, 26 April 2026.

The story centers on Leanne (played by BAFTA-winner Sheridan Smith), a charismatic cashier at an inner-city casino. Faced with the looming threat of losing her family home, Leanne begins skimming cash from the casino’s safe to secure her family’s future. Her life takes a dangerous turn when she discovers her boss, Matty (Michael Socha), is doing the exact same thing.

This discovery puts the two on a collision course not only with each other but also with the local gangster they are stealing from and the police. As Leanne’s loyalties are pulled in multiple directions, Matty must battle his own inner demons, requiring them both to “play every hand perfectly” to survive.

Filmed in and around Liverpool and Merseyside, the series features an extensive ensemble cast, including Barry Sloane (House of the Dragon), Geraldine James (Dope Girls), and Louis Emerick (The Power of Parker). The drama is directed by Al Mackay and was commissioned by Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama.

All five hour-long episodes of The Cage will be available for streaming on BBC iPlayer on Sunday, 26 April 2026. For those watching on broadcast television, the series will air weekly at 9pm on BBC One starting that same evening.