The BBC has released first-look pictures and announced further casting for new drama The Cage, written and created by BAFTA nominated Tony Schumacher (The Responder) and 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.

Joining BAFTA award-winner Sheridan Smith (Cilla, The C Word, Mrs Biggs) and Michael Socha (The Gallows Pole, Showtrial) are Barry Sloane (House of the Dragon) as Gary, Geraldine James (Dope Girls) as Nancy, Anton Bibby as Thomas, Freya Jones as Emily, Sophie Mensah (Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale) as Fen, Abby Mavers (Waterloo Road) as Kelly, Shaun Mason (Extraordinary) as Alan, Louis Emerick as Paul (The Power of Parker), Ian Puleston Davies (Tin Star) as Vincent, Julia Papp (Baptiste) as Irina, Katy Carmichael (Malpractice) as DCI Hannigan, Dave Hart (The Responder) as Danny, Eileen O’Brien (Not Going Out) as Nanna, Eithne Browne (The Responder) as Annie, Mona Goodwin (Extraordinary) as Trace, Sue Jenkins (The Responder) as Shelagh, and more.

When Leanne (Smith) and Matty (Socha) discover they are both robbing from the safe at the 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 is directed by Al Mackay (Kidnapped, Without Sin) and shot in and around Liverpool and Merseyside.

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 with Christopher Aird, Ed Guiney and Andrew Lowe for Element Pictures, Tony Schumacher and Sheridan Smith.

The Cage is expected this autumn on BBC One.