Sheridan Smith’s monopoly of British television has become a long-running joke.

Whatever the scandal, no matter how big or small – from Louise Redknapp leaving Eternal to Liz Truss collapsing the economy – Smith is the name social media’s snarkiest commentators jokingly cast in the lead role.

It’s a joke that will never stop being funny, but one rooted in plenty of truth: Smith is by far one of the most in-demand actors in British television, and in her new five-part BBC thriller The Cage, it’s easy to see why.

Smith stars as Leanne, a broke single mum of two kids caring for her grandmother, who is living with dementia. Desperate and working in a casino, she finds herself surrounded by buckets of unaccounted-for cash and seizes the opportunity to pocket bundles of notes, stashing them in a shoebox with dreams of putting a secure roof over her children’s heads.

But she’s not alone. Matty (played by Michael Socha) has the same idea.

Unbeknownst to each other, they’ve both been quietly easing their financial woes, slipping stacks of money into their pockets – until one day they catch each other in the act and decide it’s time to call it quits.

Well, life has a cruel way of making sure that doesn’t happen. Leanne loses every penny she’s stolen, while Matty is saddled with debts to dangerous men that can only be paid off by selling a rucksack full of cocaine.

Suddenly, neither of them has a choice but to keep swiping as much money as they can – like a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde, with the tenacity of Olympic athletes but the incompetence of a Chuckle Brother.

They may be terrible thieves, but they make for a brilliant double act, helping The Cage stand out as one of the most impressive British thrillers in years – which comes as no surprise given that Tony Schumacher, the former police officer behind the BAFTA-winning The Responder, is delivering another proudly Liverpudlian gem.

Socha was just 17 when he starred in This Is England, and in the years since, he has steadily built a career as one of British TV’s most underrated stalwarts, often appearing in projects with a distinctly bleak edge. Last year alone, he played an abusive father to a trans daughter in What It Feels Like for a Girl, and a neglectful and cruel parent in Netflix’s Toxic Town, based on the real-life Corby toxic waste scandal.

In The Cage, Matty asks what it really means to be a great father. He might not be perfect, but he gets an A for effort.

The role feels like both new and familiar territory for Socha – a light-hearted performance but with a tragic heartbeat – and could well be, in a strange way, the breakout moment that propels him to the level of acclaim Smith has long been accustomed to.

Smith is predictably brilliant; Leanne plays to all of her strengths as a woman on the edge of losing everything – deeply flawed, but loves her children as hard as any parent could. Smith consistently captures the extraordinary in the ordinary: the unsung warrior of a working-class mum just trying to look after her kids.

But if in years to come anyone’s still talking about The Cage, it will be because of Matty, made by Socha into one of the most likeable and unlikely heroes in a long time. He’s unwillingly caught up in a world whose darkness doesn’t belong to him; he’s soft, bringing a welcome tenderness to what is otherwise a high-octane, blistering thriller packed with hard-as-nails gangsters. He’s a man who is always trying to do the right thing – and almost always getting it wrong. Socha hits every single note perfectly.

Comparisons to Ozark, Netflix’s thriller about a couple laundering drug money through a casino, are inevitable, fair and – as Schumacher confirmed at a screening – flattering.

But The Cage is a rare kind of thriller. It doesn’t rely on relentless grit or gratuitous violence, nor does it demand to be watched through trembling fingers. Instead, it offers heart, warmth, and, beneath the menace of its genuinely frightening villains, a story about two working-class parents just trying to play the best hand with the worst possible cards.

It’s a refreshing change in a landscape where thrillers compete to outdo each other with shock and increasingly absurd twists. This is anything but absurd; it’s grounded, relatable, and a sharply observed portrayal of what it means to struggle in a world that seems designed for people like Matty and Leanne to fail.

That alone is enough to make it one of the most distinctive BBC thrillers in years.

The Cage is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.

Got a story?

If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.

MORE: Peter Capaldi slams Doctor Who fans for taking show ‘so seriously’

MORE: BBC chooses new Strictly hosts after a week of ‘secret auditions’

MORE: ‘I’ve investigated the paranormal for nearly 10 years but this case truly terrifies me’

Actor James Cartwright has suggested who could be behind Theo Silverton’s possible murder in the ITV soap this week

Coronation Street star James Cartwright has suggested who could be behind Theo Silverton’s possible murder as his death could be looming on the famous cobbles.

Those who follow the soap know that the actor, who is the son of the successful writer and playwright Jim Cartwright, joined the ITV soap in March last year in the role of builder Theo, and quickly found himself involved in a hard-hitting, coercively controlling, and abusive relationship with Todd Grimshaw.

But as fans know, Todd had finally decided to leave Theo after Billy Mayhew discovered the full extent of what his friend and former partner had been going through. However, Billy’s plan to help Todd leave Theo was dramatically torn apart when they prepared to head back to Weatherfield from Debbie Webster and Ronnie Bailey’s wedding in Yorkshire in the minibus, Theo arrived, making for an uncomfortable journey.

Click here to sign up for more Coronation Street updates in our newsletter

Then, the minibus ended up being one of the vehicles caught up in a horror multi-vehicle pile-up, which was at the centre of the dramatic crossover between Corrie and fellow ITV soap Emmerdale, dubbed Corriedale. While most of the passengers managed to escape, Billy was trapped by his seatbelt, and while Theo appeared to go back to save him, he ended up trapping him back in the vehicle before leaving, and it blew up in flames.

Since then, Theo’s behaviour, especially towards Todd, has only grown more sinister, and it results in the recent difficult-to-watch scenes showing the abuser subjecting his husband to a horrific attack. After catching Todd trying to leave him, he launched a violent and vicious attack, which later left Todd bloodied and unable to stand while heading to his friend, Sarah Platt’s, flat for help.

The next episode was then dedicated to Todd’s story, and raising awareness of domestic violence, as Todd was seen getting his injuries documented at the police station before giving a heartbreaking statement to DS Lisa Swain and DC Kit Green. But, heartbreakingly, there wasn’t enough evidence to keep Theo behind bars, and he’s since been seen making more enemies back on the cobbles.

But this week, he’ll be seen as one of five possible victims of a murder. In a flashforward episode aired in February, fans saw the shocked and anxious teen being interviewed by detectives about finding the dead body of someone she knows. She explained she had been at the Swarla wedding and was heading into town to continue the celebrations when she made the shocking discovery.

As the episode returned to the present day, Corrie viewers started to see how the behaviour of the five characters could lead to their possible death, with Theo, Megan Walsh, Maggie Driscoll, Jodie Ramsey and Carl Webster seen as the potential victims, each showing behaviours that could lead to them being bumped off.

This week, the victim will be unveiled, with the drama spread across five nights, and each episode will be dedicated to a villain. Speaking about being involved in Corrie’s ‘murder week’, James told the Manchester Evening News and other press: “It has and continues to be one of the great privileges of my life.

“To be involved in the show in the manner of which I have, you know, to sort of come in and have the arc with Todd, and the two-hander episode and then obviously the stuff with Billy and the Christmas stuff, and also to tell a story of meaning, of weight and importance, I honestly, from the bottom of my heart, could not feel more privileged. It feels like I’m in the show at the most amazing time.

Advertisement

“You’ve got the wonderful Kate Brooks, you’ve got Ian and Verity MacLeod, all the writers. It feels like it’s in a real purple patch, and I think there’s so much competition now from YouTube and streaming platforms, and I really think it’s interesting to see the show evolve and raise its stakes in order to keep ahead of the game, and it’s still by far the best show you can watch on TV or anywhere.”

Asked if Theo were to be found dead, who could find themselves under suspicion of murder, James teased: “If Theo was to be the unfortunate specimen to befall the justice of Corrie, let’s stick a pin in a map. You’ve got George [Shuttleworth], George could do it because George could put him in a coffin and bury him and you’d never know, do you know what I mean? Yeah, it’s exhilarating.

“You’ve got Todd, you’ve got Summer [Spellman], you got who else? You’ve got Carl obviously. I think Carl’s like the tarantula of Coronation Street. He sort of prowls, sinks his teeth into anyone.”

He added: “It could be any number of people and I think very often with these things, it could be who you least expect. I mean, imagine someone like Summer, imagine he walks into the shop and she just cracks him over the head with a tin of beans, closes the shop sign and sticks him in a bin bag.”

The Monday letters page worries that The Elder Scrolls 6 may be outdated before it’s ever released, as a reader hopes that Fast Fusion gets some multiplayer DLC.

Games Inbox is a collection of our readers’ letters, comments, and opinions. To join in with the discussions yourself email gamecentral@metro.co.uk

Spoilt for choice
I’ve read with interest your recent reviews of Pragmata and Saros and I did not expect them to go quite the way they did. I knew both would be good, but Pragmata sounds a lot better than I assumed and Saros sounds like it’s not really built on Returnal in the way I hoped.

I did really like Returnal, and I usually like Capcom’s stuff, so this is a bit of a problem for me because I can’t afford both right now. It is unfortunate that two really good, sci-fi third person shooters, that are both new IP (even if Saros is a grey area) have come out at the same time, but then this sort of thing seems to happen all the time, with both games and movies.

If they were half the price I’d buy them both but unfortunately that’s not how things work and I’ve got a choice to make. It’s a shame both of them don’t seem to have much of a story but while Saros’ combat sounds a bit slicker, Pragmata’s sounds more original. Decisions, decisions…
Ishi

GC: We have to admit it’s a lot closer than we expected, but we’d have to give it to Saros. Despite its fault the combat is absolutely sublime.

Travelling circus
I remember a reader writing in a while back about how the launch of GTA 6 would be seen as the AD and BC of modern gaming and I kind of think he might be right. At the moment, GTA 6 seems like more of a myth and an urban legend but at some point it really is going to be released and it’s going to be all we hear about for months.

I mean, if people were sick of hearing about Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynched recently then I think you’re going to have to go off the grid for a couple of months from this November. Even as someone that’s really looking forward to it, I’m wary of the circus to come. I just hope the game is worth it all.
Gauntlett

Still playing
I know I’ve mentioned this before but Vampire Survivors on Nintendo Switch, with the Ode To Castlevania DLC, just has to be the best value for money in games, in my opinion. Still playing it months later.

Ridiculously replayable, always finding new stuff to do. Just unlocked Mr S (he doesn’t mess about…). All for less than a tenner and very intrigued about Vampire Crawlers.
Chevy Malibu (PSN ID)

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

White noise
This new Xbox boss certainly seems to have all the exec speak down pat but I’m afraid that just means I don’t believe a word coming out of her mouth. The exclusivity hints seem completely unbelievable to me, for example.

The only time in years Microsoft has sold a lot of games is with the PlayStation 5 version of Forza Horizon and there is no way they are going to give that up in favour of hoping Forza Horizon 6 – or any big game – suddenly convinces someone to buy an Xbox Series X or Project Helix.

People buy a console for a lot of reasons nowadays and while exclusives are a factor it also has to be the guarantee of a steady flow of them, which you don’t get from Xbox. Confidence in the console and its maker is a bigger factor and I don’t know who would trust Xbox with anything right now.

I’m not saying that trust couldn’t be earned but the way she’s talking makes it sound like everyone’s desperate for Xbox to return to the big time and I’m not sure that’s true.
Scalar

Crazy suggestions
Can any readers or GC recommend any game that’s similar to Mad Max? I’ve been replaying it on Xbox and forgot how good it actually was. Minus the repetitive aspects of course.

A bare minimum Google search recommended Rage, Borderlands, and for some reason Assassin’s Creed. I’m on PC also so if there’s an indie game I can look into it. Any recommendations appreciated.
Bobwallett

GC: Many games, including Fallout, are influenced by the Mad Max films, but those first two you mention are the closest to the 2015 game. Assassin’s Creed was probably mentioned because, minus the car combat, it’s a fairly generic Ubisoft style open world game.

Slow update
For any of you that owns a Switch 2 and are looking for some slick and super speedy arcade racers to play, I can’t recommend Fast Fusion enough.

Fast Fusion is technically the third game (or fourth if you count Fast RMX on the Switch) in a series that got its start on the Wii. For me Fusion certainly refines the formula to a highly satisfactory degree, with some stunning futuristic aesthetics, very sharp and responsive driving handling, and some generally quite imaginative and expertly constructed racetracks, with plenty of challenging twists, turns, and environmental hazards to negotiate.

The series is also known for its polarity switching mechanic that enables you to boost over colour-corresponding pads on the tracks, which sets it apart from the competition. Fast Fusion introduces a new jump ability that encourages some more adventurous techniques and opens up shortcut opportunities.

The only real con for me is the strange absence of an online component for the multiplayer (local races are thankfully catered for though) and, perhaps, that the track selection is pretty slim. But considering the game is only £14 and its production values are rather luxurious, plus the diabolical dearth of quality futuristic racers on the market these days, I can forgive this oversight.

Oh, and it helps that the soundtrack is incredible. But I really, really hope we get some substantial DLC (and online racing) for Fast Fusion soon. Perhaps to coincide with the game’s first year anniversary on June 5.

Furthermore: for the love of god Nintendo, give the hovering car keys to Shin’en, so they may potentially make a worthwhile new F-Zero under your renowned developer-enhancing tutelage. Do it now and do it fast! Inbox magic, if you will.
GG

Evil time
Playing through Requiem got me in the mood for more Resident Evil, so I thought I’d give Village another go, as I never bothered to finish it the first time round.

It’s better than I remember it but the scary thing about it is looking at the trophies and seeing them dated 2021! Where have those five years gone and I think we were in the middle of those stupid lockdowns back then as well – a time best forgotten!
Simon

Don’t miss Gaming news! Add us as a Preferred Source

As a loyal GameCentral reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for gaming stories. We have all the latest video games news, reviews, previews, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.

Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.

Advertisement

Add us as a Preferred Source

New challengers
I don’t feel as though Elden Ring had a negative effect on Elder Scrolls 6 in regards to Bethesda needing to be upping their game, due to how incredibly awesome the Elden Ring game was in general. But the contenders that have come out recently, you’ve got to admit, have definitely been taking a slice of pie from the open world role-playing genre.

The Kingdom Come: Deliverance games have definitely been taking over some of Elder Scrolls’ territory over the last few years and threatening them with some great storytelling and quest building.

I think that one minute tease of Elder Scrolls 6 years back, was just to say it’s in the works and it feels like Bethesda have been quiet recently, apart from the odd game like Starfield being released, so most of their staff can work on the Elder Scrolls 6 as a priority and get this game, which is Bethesda’s main legacy, as complete and amazing as can possibly be.

Contenders like Crimson Desert, The Witcher 3, Cyberpunk 2077, and possibly other genres like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Hogwarts Legacy in their own way, are showing just how capable other companies can be at this genre of gaming. So the longer Elder Scrolls takes to make, the more difficult it will be to raise their head above the crowd.

Most of the above are sort of direct rivals but you cannot forget to include the non-open word role-players and to enter the sandbox exploration world, with a certain title called Grand Theft Auto 6 on the horizon.

Another thing to consider over the next few years is the culture of gaming in general, as things popular in the past doesn’t mean it will remain popular! Younger generations are quite happy with a simpler and more indie style of game, and I have had a ton of hours myself in that marketplace.

I would like to see more news and updates of Elder Scrolls 6, as it does have a harder fight to stay relevant and hopefully the past fans and newer fans are still there and excited to purchase their next ticket into the world of Tamriel.
Alucard

Inbox also-rans
Just a great big thank you to Aidax89 for recommending GeForce Now. I must have missed out on tens of thousands of reward points.
Woz G

Will GC be reviewing Little Nightmares VR: Altered Echoes? It has piqued my curiosity after playing the first two (third is on my list). Great to be reading more of Jenkins’ input recently too.
D Dubya

GC: We’re not sure, there was strangely no press for the game and we haven’t got a copy yet.

Email your comments to: gamecentral@metro.co.uk

The small print
New Inbox updates appear every weekday morning, with special Hot Topic Inboxes at the weekend. Readers’ letters are used on merit and may be edited for length and content.

You can also submit your own 500 to 600-word Reader’s Feature at any time via email or our Submit Stuff page, which if used will be shown in the next available weekend slot.

You can also leave your comments below and don’t forget to follow us on Twitter.

MORE: Games Inbox: When is The Elders Scrolls 6 coming out?

MORE: Games Inbox: Is Call Of Duty still popular?

MORE: Games Inbox: Did you know GTA 6 was made in the UK?

North Yorkshire Police closed the A64 eastbound before 9am and junction 44 of the A1(M) was also closed to prevent traffic accessing it.

Recommended reading:

North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service said a single vehicle was involved and one person inside needed to be released before being taken to hospital via air ambulance.

National Highways said the crash closed the road between the A659 at Tadcaster and the junction with the A1237 Ring Road between Askham Bryan and Copmanthorpe.

Motorists had been advised to avoid the area or use alternative routes while emergency services were at the scene.

The #A64 in #NorthYorkshire is now open eastbound between the #A1(M) J44 and the #A1237 #York following an earlier collision.

There are no delays or congestion in the area. pic.twitter.com/KWVWKWC8Yp

Advertisement

— National Highways: Yorkshire (@HighwaysYORKS) April 26, 2026

Diversions had been put in place via Catterton but HGVs were told to find other routes.

Coastliner bus services 840 and 843 were following a diversion via Wighill, missing stops between Broken Bridge and Askham Bryan.

Traffic on the westbound A64 was also running slowly as it passed the scene.

The road re-opened later in the afternoon.

The Press has contacted emergency services and will bring you more information as we receive it.

The creators of Psychonauts and Keeper turn their hand to online multiplayer, with a very weird team game where you play as handcrafted water pots.

As the internet’s got faster and more reliable, and the world’s got more connected, multiplayer games have tracked its rise. Starting on PC, and with Xbox’s help moving to consoles and eventually mobile, they’re now enjoyed by every demographic, from grandmothers playing Texas Hold ‘Em to school children crowding out Fortnite. They’ve become a place to compete, co-operate, and socialise.

Most competitive online games let you choose from a range of characters, all of whom are either perfectly equal, their differences purely cosmetic, or constitute a more varied roster with a balanced set of strengths and weaknesses, that’s carefully metered to make each round of the game fair. That all goes out of the window in asymmetric games, which pit a single, incredibly powerful player against a flock of underpowered challengers. But rarely do multiplayer games give you as much free reign as Kiln, which lets you personally create the clay pots you fight as.

In its pottery-themed 4v4 battles, each team defends a flaming kiln while trying to douse the opponent’s base in water, extinguishing its flames. To do that, each player controls a spirit that inhabits a clay pot, hermit crab-style. Once in the pot, they can run about the game’s cramped, chaotic arenas, first in search of smashable water jugs or fountains, then once topped up, heading for the enemy kiln.

During each round your time’s split between trying to prevent enemies getting any water into your kiln’s firey mouth and attacking theirs. Although arenas are small, they’re filled with level furniture, much of which is in constant motion, making the action both dynamic and frenetic. You also have to deal with the physics of running around while keeping as much water as possible in your pot.

Each clay vessel has three ways to strike opponents, which are in order of power: basic, jumping, and special attacks. Specials take precedence over ordinary attacks, but take time to charge up, during which you’re vulnerable. And even though jumping attacks are slightly more powerful, they also involve slopping precious water if your jug’s full when you strike.

When you’re on the receiving end you can simply run in the opposite direction but under prolonged assault you can also roll, either briefly or for as long as there’s an unobstructed path. Naturally, that means you lose your entire load of water, but if you’ve already taken damage it’s a useful last resort to get yourself out of trouble.

The shape and size of pot you make informs its function in your team. Small capacity means higher health, and vice versa, so generally you want your largest urns gathering water and hurling it into the enemy kiln, while smaller more robust crockery defends them and your home kiln. To add flexibility to that process, you can sculpt your own pots, three of which you can store on a shelf for use during battle, optionally switching when you respawn.

The process of actually sculpting new pots is wonderfully intuitive in its use of the left stick to pull virtual cartoon hands around your blob of clay as it spins on the potter’s wheel. Dragging left or right extends the bowl outwards, while moving vertically raises or lowers its top. The stats for each of your handmade ceramic masterpieces are shown as a slider with volume of water on one side and health on the other. The larger the capacity, the more easily destructible it will be.

In the game’s frantic showdowns you’ll often spot the other team using tactics that can be rebuffed by switching to other pot designs, either to get aggressive with their large volume water carrying attempts, or to take advantage of negligent defence to pour as much fluid as possible into their kiln while they’re distracted.

The size and shape of your pot also governs its special move. These include a tornado spin for top heavy pots, sword thrusts for tall thin ones, aimed strikes for medium vases, and a bullhorn that knocks back enemies in its cone of noise for trumpet-shaped creations. Some are undoubtedly a lot more useful than others, but as with all multiplayer offerings, tweaks, additions, and new content are likely to iron out any initial kinks.

Between competitive matches, there’s a hub area where you can sculpt and fire new pots, buy cosmetic upgrades from a friendly dog called Slip, and kick about a beachball or two should you feel so inclined. It’s all very much in keeping with Kiln’s sense of fun and silliness, in a game that’s more concerned with entertainment than the rigours of serious competition.

For younger potters there’s a moderated mode where everyone’s crockery is represented by a preset styling for small, medium, and large pots, preventing any of the game’s more phallic designs from polluting impressionable minds. It has no effect on gameplay, although it does mean you won’t be able to see anyone else’s way-out decorative approaches, whose more outlandish options are unlocked as you level up.

It’s fun, even if most rounds tend to feel a bit shapeless, descending rapidly into brawls, depending on how organised the other team is. It’s a perennial issue with online games unless you’re playing with a tight knit group of friends, and adds a familiar if unwelcome random factor to proceedings.

Given the nature of online games, Kiln is likely to change considerably as Double Fine add new arenas and improve interactions. As it stands it should be an instant download for anyone with Game Pass and a free couple of hours. For everyone else, it’s a chunk of delightfully offbeat knockabout fun. It will be interesting to see how it evolves over its first few months in the wild.

Formats: Xbox Series X/S (reviewed), PlayStation 5, and PC
Price: £15.99
Publisher: Xbox Game Studios
Developer: Double Fine
Release Date: 23rd April 2026
Age Rating: 7

Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter.

To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.

For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.

MORE: My video game memories from a boy in the 70s to army duty in 2001 – Reader’s Feature

MORE: Resident Evil Requiem sales rewarded with amazing Leon and Grace cakes

MORE: Sega bringing back NiGHTS Into Dreams and Guardian Heroes – but not as games

“We are really useful out there in the north Atlantic, hundreds of miles away, so while the Coastguard is mobilising their army of volunteers and search and rescue professionals, we can get there quickly, find the emergency and keep an eye on them, so we are ahead of them in a long-range search and rescue situation,” he said.

On April 26, 1976, the 62‑year‑old comic actor, best known for the Carry On films and TV’s Bless This House, collapsed during the opening night of the farce The Mating Season at Sunderland Empire and later died after suffering a heart attack.

That night, Sunderland Empire was hosting the latest stop on a busy touring schedule that kept James on stages around the country in the mid‑1970s.

Around 20 minutes into the performance, with fellow actor Olga Lowe on stage, he slumped in his chair in front of the audience.

Many people initially thought the collapse was part of the act, until the curtain was brought down and it became clear that something was seriously wrong.

He had suffered a heart attack and was confirmed to have died in Sunderland that evening, aged 62.

Accounts of what followed have grown over the years into a piece of theatre lore.

It is said that, when Sunderland Empire manager Roy Todds telephoned producer Bill Robertson with the news that his star had died in Sunderland, Robertson replied “Everybody dies in Sunderland.”

On Sunday, the 50th anniversary of his death, Sunderland Empire marked the date publicly, noting that they honour Sid James with a ghost light as they remembered “his unique talent and humour.”

The Cage airs tonight at 9pm , with film crews having moved into Le Mans Crescent and Tockholes last year to shoot scenes, with part of Blackburn Road, having signs installed saying welcome to Cumbria!

The crime drama stars Sheridan alongside Michael Socha and is set within the world of a Liverpool casino.

The casino world is said to offer many temptations and seemingly endless possibilities for both gamblers and employees alike.

It is described as presenting an environment full of opportunity, where you might win big but are more likely to lose.

The Cage, a new five-part crime drama by Tony Schumacher, creator of The Responder, is set to explores these themes.

Sheridan is a single mother and Michael as a compulsive gambler, who discover they are both stealing from the safe at the inner-city casino where they work.

Directed by Al Mackay, the drama follows their lives as they spiral toward a collision course, with each other, the local gangster Gary Packer, played by Barry Sloane, whom they are stealing from, and the police.

Pictured: Barry Sloane as Gary (Image: BBC / Element Pictures)

Sheridan, known for her roles in Gavin And Stacey, Cilla, and I Fought The Law, says she appreciated the complexity of her character, Leanne, and hopes audiences will root for her.

In the series, Leanne is a single mother who has lost her husband and is caring for her grandmother, who has dementia. She is also on the verge of losing her home.

“I don’t know if I’ve seen many dramas where the two protagonists are so likeable,” says the 44-year-old actress.

“Even though the characters are doing something wrong, audiences may still find themselves rooting for them.

“They’re doing it for good reasons, that’s the thing, isn’t it? So even if you don’t agree with what they’re doing, you can still get on board with it.”

She adds: “I think Leanne, being a single mum whose children’s father has died, is also caring for her grandmother, who has dementia. She’s trying to juggle everything as a single parent while not losing the house.

Pictured: Sheridan Smith as Leanne and Michael Socha as Matty. (Image: BBC / Element Pictures)

“So you can totally understand why she would go to such desperate measures, to keep the family together and well. And I think anyone, myself as a single mum included, would do anything for their children.”

Michael, who has starred in the This Is England TV series, says he admires the likeability of his character, Matty, despite his struggles with gambling addiction.

In the series, Matty is the casino manager who shares custody of his teenage daughter with his ex-partner.

“Matty leads with love. Ultimately, at the end of the day, he’s a man really struggling,” says the 38-year-old actor.

“He’s a good bloke, just doing bad things. He’s an addict and he’s suffering. He’s going through it, but at the back of his mind there’s always his daughter, something that keeps him reasonably alive and anchored.”

“I think Matty ultimately feels massively ashamed of himself and the person he’s become.

Pictured: Michael Socha as Matty, Sheridan Smith as Leanne and Freya Jones as Emily. P (Image: BBC / Element Pictures)

“He’s not with the mum anymore, and I think he finds it so difficult seeing and maybe wanting the idea of a normal family that he glimpses from afar in the brief interactions he has with her. I think ultimately that’s what he wants: normality.

“But the situation he’s got himself into after years of addiction and making the wrong choices is maybe a barrel he can’t quite climb out of at this point.”

According to figures from the UK Gambling Commission, an estimated 1.3 to 1.4 million adults in the UK are affected by gambling addiction.

Undated BBC Handout Photo from The Cage. Pictured: Sheridan Smith as Leanne. PA Feature SHOWBIZ TV Cage. WARNING: This picture must only be used to accompany PA???Feature SHOWBIZ TV Cage. PA Photo. Picture credit should read: BBC / Element Pictures. NOTE (Image: BBC / Element Pictures)

Socha says he learned a lot about the impact of gambling addiction while researching for the role.

“I was doing a lot of research into gambling, and I went to a casino and tried online gambling apps. I realised how gripping they can be,” he explains.

“There are all types of addiction, but with gambling there’s a rare kind of hope, the possibility that you might win big or recoup all the money you’ve lost.

“With alcohol or drug addiction, it often ends badly, with no real light at the end of the tunnel other than stopping completely.

“Whereas with gambling, there’s always a little bit of something. I think that’s the most dangerous part of a gambling addiction: the possibility.”

Filming in Le Mans Crescent (Image: NQ)

Speaking about the casino world he says: “The ins and outs of casinos are really interesting.

“There are tricks used to keep you inside, and the clientele is incredibly varied. You’ve got young lads, first-timers, there’s also a real surge in online content around gambling, designed to make it look appealing and fun.

“The customers are so varied, which I found really interesting. And I suppose when you go into those places, it’s meant to be about entertainment. But for most people, it’s about leaving with more than they came in with. The chances, though, are so heavily stacked against you that it can become dangerous if you don’t have a grip on it.

(Image: Henry Lisowski)

“There’s also a real surge in casino promotion, online betting, and bookmakers’ advertising. I don’t know if it sits in the same category as cash-for-gold schemes or payday loans, it’s a similar kind of promise: a glimmer of fortune. You can win big, but the chances are extremely slim.

“If you can go into any of those places and enjoy it for what it is, that’s fine. But if you’re relying on it, it can become quite dangerous as well.”

Sheridan adds: “Morally, what we’re doing is wrong. But I think some people will really want us to get away with it, while others will feel it’s terrible and that we shouldn’t be doing it at all.

“But I guess that’s the point. That’s what you want to do with a story, make people unsure about whether they’re rooting for the characters or not. They’re doing something morally wrong, but you understand why they’re doing it, and that’s what makes it interesting to play.”

She added: “It’s high energy – full of love and laughter, but it might also break your heart.”

The Cage will air on BBC One at 9pm and BBC iPlayer on Sunday, April 26.

The Moon continues through Virgo, encouraging a focus on what can be improved one step at a time.

Meanwhile, a supportive Moon-Jupiter connection adds optimism and a sense that progress is possible, especially when effort meets faith.

With Uranus newly in Gemini, fresh ideas are still arriving quickly, but today favours organising them rather than chasing every spark.

Ahead, you’ll find all star signs’ horoscopes for today: Monday April 27, 2026.

Like checking your horoscope every morning? You can now sign up to our free daily newsletter to get a personalised reading for your star sign delivered straight to your inbox.

To order your unique personal horoscope based on your time, date and place of birth, visit patrickarundell.com.

Aries

March 21 to April 20

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aries

Taurus

April 21 to May 21

Taurus, this could be a day when your warmth and enthusiasm can shine brightly, but you’ll probably want to use this to achieve something tangible. Particularly if it’s something that’s novel, especially with Uranus, the planet of innovation, now in your zone of resources, calling out to you. Also, with the thinker Mercury stirring deep memories, an old friend may come to mind.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Taurus

Gemini

May 22 to June 21

Gemini, you can feel recharged and alert, but intriguingly prefer to have some quiet time to process the excitement that you are feeling. It’s not just because of the recent arrival of the lovely Venus and the electric Uranus in your sign; it’s also because your money sector today is buoyantly activated by your ruler, Mercury. Knowing where to apply this is the key.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Gemini

Cancer

June 22 to July 23

Cancer, you continue to be propelled into the limelight, but there is a paradox because there’s another part of you that can find yourself thinking much more about a past person or event. However, if you are clear about what you want to achieve around a career prospect, the confidence of Jupiter in your sign and his link to Mercury can help you to push forward.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Cancer

Leo

July 24 to August 23

The desire to open up your situation has been very strong for some weeks, but now things can really start to fall into place. But the critical thing is not just that plan, it is how to deliver it within the expenditure that works for you. Someone you are collaborating with can be such a support today, but ironically, someone else who you thought would want to can spin out now.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Leo

Virgo

August 24 to September 23

Moon in Virgo can make you more single-minded about what you want to achieve, but the chances are you may have to link closely to someone else. Still, with your ruler Mercury getting you to think carefully about long-term expenditure, it’s certainly a day with the buoyant Jupiter in the mix, that you can think big, but some kind of worldly change is likely.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Virgo

Libra

September 24 to October 23

All sorts of connections are going to be buzzing through your thoughts today, and some of them can seem very promising. But with the Moon in your more reflective 12th House, you may still find that you want to take a pause. However you’re feeling, whether it’s upbeat or not, your emotions can be that much more amplified – especially around work-based ties.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Libra

Scorpio

October 24 to November 22

Earlier in April, however much you wanted to get to grips with some of the practicalities in your situation, the energy may not have quite been there. But now you can find that things will start to move, and what can help this today is the recognition that what you change now can have such a beneficial impact on your long-term wellbeing, putting you more in control.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Scorpio

Sagittarius

November 23 to December 21

Sagittarius, over the last seven years, it has proved difficult to maintain structures and regularity in your life because of the disruptive energies of Uranus in your sector of routines. But now a planetary shift can put you so much more on the front foot, showcasing that part of your nature that loves the big picture but also has the ability to see and seize opportunities quickly.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Sagittarius

Capricorn

December 22 to January 21

If you’ve ever thought about starting your own home-based enterprise, there has rarely been a time with the sparkling opportunities that are open to you now. Indeed, today’s mix of energies can see you both entrepreneurial and adventurous, but also aware of maintaining the parts of your life that bring security and familiarity. So somewhat of a juggle, but a good one.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Capricorn

Aquarius

January 22 to February 19

You can find yourself highly motivated to start this week in a dynamic way, but as much as you’ve likely got plenty of energy and drive, it is going to be important to also tease out some information that may not be completely obvious. Don’t be too overconfident, Aquarius, but if you can obtain and absorb these details, it can shape your day positively and see moves stick.

Head here for everything you need to know about being an Aquarius

Pisces

February 20 to March 20

With the Moon in your opposite sign of Virgo, this can help you to tune in to other people. And with your traditional ruler, Jupiter, also linking to the Moon so well, the exchanges you have can be both upbeat and interactive. Still, some kind of restlessness around your home could urge you to make some changes, perhaps even decoratively, or at least decluttering.

Head here for everything you need to know about being a Pisces

Your daily Metro.co.uk horoscope is here every morning, seven days a week (yes, including weekends!). To check your forecast, head to our dedicated horoscopes page.

Head here for this week’s tarot horoscope reading, and see what the cards have in store for you!

Check out the tarot horoscope reading for the month of April here.

Prefer us to the others? Then tell Google!

As a loyal Metro reader, we want to make sure you never miss our stories when searching for your news. Whether it is the latest politics news explained, live football coverage or a showbiz scoop.

Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.

Add us as a Preferred Source

Advertisement

MORE: What does the week have in store? Your tarot horoscope reading for April 27 to May 3

MORE: Daily horoscope April 26, 2026: Today’s predictions for your star sign

MORE: Daily horoscope April 25, 2026: Today’s predictions for your star sign

Carney has promised a lot to Canadians – the most ambitious housing plan since World War Two, turning the country into an energy superpower, reducing its dependency on its largest trading partner, the US, and fighting American tariffs – and the expectations on him are immense.