Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha Star in New BBC Drama The Cage Filmed in Liverpool

Michael Socha has spoken about the intense experience of filming The Cage, describing moments where he felt “white knuckle” tension during production of the new BBC crime drama set in a Liverpool casino.

The Guardian reported Socha’s comments in an interview where he reflected on his career, including his role in This represents England, his patchy beard and the challenges of taking on the character of Matty in The Cage. He described the filming process as emotionally and physically demanding, with high-stakes scenes that left him on edge.

Socha stars alongside Sheridan Smith in the five-part series, which follows two casino workers, Leanne and Matty, who discover they are both planning to rob the safe at their workplace. The Cage is written and created by Tony Schumacher, the BAFTA-nominated creator of The Responder, and produced by Element Pictures for BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

According to BBC announcements and verified listings, The Cage is set to premiere on BBC One on 26 April 2026. The series will also be available on BBC iPlayer following its broadcast.

Filming took place in and around Liverpool and Merseyside during the first part of 2025, with locations including the Wirral. The production features a supporting cast that includes Barry Sloane, Geraldine James, Sue Jenkins, and others, as confirmed by BBC media releases and casting announcements.