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All bets are off for Sheridan Smith in The Cage
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The odds are stacked against the star in this high-energy crime drama on BBC One. Plus, find out where you can watch Smith in some of her most iconic roles
By Charlotte Briggs, Feature Writer
- Published
- 22 April 2026
If you’ve been missing Sheridan Smith on your screens (and let’s be honest, who hasn’t?) then we have good news for you. The star’s return is imminent! She plays a woman at the centre of a high-stakes workplace scandal in thrilling new drama The Cage, starting at 9pm on Sunday 26 April on BBC One HD (CH 101). Check out the trailer.
Created by Tony Schumacher (The Responder), The Cage stars Smith as charismatic casino cashier Leanne who, facing the pressures of losing her family home, begins stealing cash from the casino’s safe to help make ends meet and secure her family’s future. However, things escalate when Leanne discovers that her boss Matty (Michael Socha, The Gallows Pole) has also been skimming profits.
The pair embark on a dangerous collision course with the police, the local crime boss and each other. We can’t wait! Watch on BBC One HD (CH 101) or in Apps > BBC iPlayer, where all episodes will be available from Sunday 26 April.
Everyone knows that anything Smith touches turns into telly gold. Whether she’s making us laugh with her comedic timing or cry with her devastating performances inspired by real people, Smith can do it all. Read on to find out where you can watch the star in some of her best roles of her career, from humble beginnings to becoming one of TV’s most in-demand stars.
Cilla
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Stream series 1 now in Apps > ITVX + Apps > Netflix
Along with those acting chops Smith also has the voice of an angel, and she knocked our socks off when she stepped into the shoes of beloved entertainer Cilla Black in this award-winning biopic. Sing it with us: anyone who had a heart would love Smith too!
Four Lives
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Stream series 1 now in Apps > BBC iPlayer
If there’s one thing that Smith can do well, it’s play a strong working-class woman who’s on a courageous quest for justice. Her heartbreaking portrayal of Sarah Sak, whose son Anthony Walgate was one of four young gay men murdered by serial killer Stephen Port, helped secure her status as everyone’s favourite TV actor.
Gavin & Stacey
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Stream series 1-3 now in Apps > BBC iPlayer
Whether she was teaching us the words to American Boy or usurping her brother’s rights to their family nickname, Smithy’s younger sister Rudy quickly became a fan favourite on the show. We loved catching up with her in the 2024 Christmas special too, along with her kids Taplow, Chingford, Brighton and Aldi…
I Fought The Law
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Stream it now in Apps > ITVX
Inspired by the harrowing true story of a mother who fights to overturn an 800-year-old double jeopardy law and bring her daughter’s killer to justice, I Fought The Law gave us another moving Smith performance. And it hasn’t gone unnoticed – the star has been nominated in the Leading Actress category at this year’s BAFTA TV Awards.
Mrs Biggs
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Stream series 1 now in Apps > ITVX + Apps > Netflix
Smith’s emotional performance as Charmian Brent, who was the former wife of the infamous Great Train Robber Ronnie Biggs and whose life was devastated by “the heist of the century”, won over audiences and critics alike and earned the actor her first BAFTA TV Award for Best Actress.
No Return
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Stream series 1 now in Apps > ITVX
Given her acting credits, Smith knows a thing or two about quality telly. So we were over the moon when she joined forces with BAFTA-winning screenwriter Danny Brocklehurst (Fool Me Once) to bring us this exhilarating drama about a family holiday gone wrong.
The Royle Family
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Stream series 1-3 now in Apps > BBC iPlayer
One of Smith’s earliest roles was as vegetarian Emma Kavanagh in The Royle Family, who first appeared at then-boyfriend Antony Royle’s 18th birthday party. She spent the evening with the sofa-slouching family refusing wafer-thin ham sandwiches, in a classic comedy moment that catapulted Smith to national recognition.
The Teacher
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Stream series 1 now in Apps > 5 + Apps > Disney+
In one of her best roles to date, Smith was praised for her performance as the titular educator who was accused of inappropriate conduct with one of her pupils. Not only did the series keep us on our toes until the very end, but it showed off Smith’s acting ability as a complex character who was both sympathetic and uncomfortable to watch.
The 7.39
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Stream it now in Apps > BBC iPlayer
Smith starred alongside David Morrissey, Olivia Colman and Sean Maguire in in David Nicholls’s heart-fluttering drama about two commuters who fall in love but already have partners. Only Smith could make us root for a romance with not-so-straightforward beginnings.
Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps
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Stream series 1-9 now in Apps > BBC iPlayer + Apps > U
Smith’s big break came in the form of Susan Nickson’s iconic sitcom. For eight series she played Janet Smith, who loved Cheeky Vimtos, cigarettes, and “things that go bleep bleep”, as well as her will they/won’t they romance with Jonny that had the nation gripped.
Already seen all of the above shows?
You have good taste. Here are half a dozen more brilliant Sheridan Smith performances you can stream on Virgin TV right now (depending on package and subscriptions):
Black Work
Stream series 1 now in Apps > ITVX + Apps > Netflix
Benidorm
Stream series 3 now in Apps > Disney+ + Apps > ITVX + Apps > Netflix + Apps > Prime Video. Series 1-10 also available in Apps > ITVX + Apps > Netflix
Gangsta Granny Strikes Again!
Stream it now in Apps > BBC iPlayer
The Moorside
Stream it now in Apps > Disney+ + Apps > ITVX
The Widower
Stream it now in Apps > ITVX + Apps > Netflix
Quartet
Stream it now in Sky Cinema on demand
The Cage release date
The five-part crime drama will begin from 9pm on Sunday 26 April on BBC One and Apps > BBC iPlayer with new episodes airing weekly.
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TV channels: Channels, content and features available depend on your chosen package. Channel line-ups and content are subject to change at any time and to regional variations.
HD: HD TV set, V HD Box, TiVo® box, Virgin TV V6 box, Virgin TV 360 box or Stream box connected with HDMI cables required for HD channels. Number of inclusive HD channels depends on package.
Netflix: Netflix subscription required at extra cost.
Disney+: Disney+ subscription required at extra cost.
Virgin TV 360 Box: Not available with full fibre. Minimum of M50 Fibre Broadband required for operation. Boxes require a HDMI cable to connect to your TV. Catch Up TV: Catch Up TV content available for seven days after broadcast.
Virgin Stream box: Virgin Media broadband required (min. 50 Mbps). Compatible with Hub 3 and above. Stream box requires an HDMI cable connected to TV. HD TV set and a Stream box connected with HDMI cables required for viewing HD channels. Number of inclusive HD channels depends on package. 4K compatible TV/device required to watch Ultra HD. Stream box and remote remain property of Virgin Media.
Flex: Virgin Media broadband required (min. 50 Mbps). Not available with other Virgin Media TV services. Compatible with Hub 3 and above. Stream box requires an HDMI cable connected to TV. HD TV set and a Stream box connected with HDMI cables required for viewing HD channels. Number of inclusive HD channels depends on package. 4K compatible TV/device required to watch Ultra HD. Stream box and remote remain property of Virgin Media. There is a £5 a month charge for Flex service, and a one-off activation fee of £35 may apply, along with charges & terms for each Flex entertainment subscription chosen. Some Flex subscriptions require 30 days’ notice to cancel. New Virgin Media broadband customers subject to 18 month contract and set up fees may apply. See full details.
Image credits:
The Cage © BBC / Element Pictures
The Royle Family © Granada TV 1999
Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps © BBC
Gavin & Stacey © BBC
The 7.39 © BBC
Four Lives © ITV Studios / Ben Blackall
