The BBC has ordered ‘The Cage‘, a new crime drama 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).
The high-stakes, high-energy crime story follows Leanne (Smith) and Matty (Socha), who discover they are both robbing from the safe at the inner-city casino they work in, setting their lives 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.
“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,” said Schumacher. “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.”
?Tony Schumacher is a British writer and screenwriter from Liverpool. He is the creator of the acclaimed crime drama series ‘The Responder’, starring Martin Freeman, which has garnered significant attention for its gritty portrayal of police work. Before transitioning to writing, Schumacher worked as a police officer, an experience that deeply informs his storytelling.
“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,” add Christopher Aird and Hilary Martin, Element Pictures and Fremantle executive producers. “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.”
‘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.
“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,” commented Lindsay Salt, Director of BBC Drama. “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.”
‘The Cage‘ does not yet have a premiere date but will air on BBC One and iPlayer. If you want to keep track of this or any other show, you can add them via our Never Miss system, and you’ll be notified when it gets a UK premiere date.
