Risk & Reward
Sheridan Smith on her role in the new high-stakes, high-energy BBC crime drama, The Cage
Get ready for a high-stakes, high-energy crimestory set within the world of a Liverpool casino
Written and created by BAFTA award-nominated Tony Schumacher (The Responder) and produced by Academy award-winning 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.
When Leanne (Sheridan Smith) and Matty (Michael Socha) discover they are both robbing from the safe at the inner-city 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.
Why did you want to work on this project? What were your reactions reading through the scripts?
Tony Schumacher and I met about three years ago and he told me about this idea. He’d written The Responder and I knew he was an amazing writer. I was like, “Oh my God, what a gift to work with him.” He told me about The Cage, and I thought that sounded incredible. I thought he’d forget about it because he’s so in demand, then he did another series of The Responder because it was such a success. So, I thought maybe The Cage won’t be made. Then he came to see me in a show, and he said, “Hey girl, it’s been greenlit!” I have to pinch myself that I’m doing it now. He’s an amazing scriptwriter, he’s done it all and he’s been an actor as well, so he gets all the layers of people.
Where do we find Leanne at the start of the story, and how do her and Matty’s lives become intertwined?
Leanne is a cashier at the casino and she’s a single mum. She cares for her Nanna who has dementia, she has a son of 17 and a daughter who’s 12. They’re losing their housing and Nanna has to go into care, so she’s in this turmoil. Matty is her co-worker at the casino, and they discover they’re both on the rob, which entwines their lives because they’re in it together then. It’s a bit Bonnie and Clyde-y, but in a really chaotic, bonkers way.
Leanne has a strong sense of vulnerability, but is also the strong matriarch of her family - how did you go about portraying these very different elements of her personality?
She is very vulnerable; she feels things deeply. But she’s also strong and she’s like a lioness when it comes to her family. Those two things come from the same place. I love getting to play the two sides of her and I want the audience to question what they would do in her situation.
Everyone’s kind of lying to each other, but they’re also not. They’re friends, but where do their loyalties lie? It’s so fast paced that each character and their stories are interwoven with one another. Leanne also has an excellent poker face. When you see her at home with her family, you see those vulnerabilities on display and the anxiety that’s within her. But then when she’s in the casino, the mask is on and it’s all smiles. The whole show is like one giant poker game.
Leanne’s ambitions go beyond the casino. What drives her the most?
Leanne’s family is what drives her the most. They’re going to lose their house, and she just wants dignity and security for her family – that’s all that matters to her in life.
How did you prepare for the role? Did you ask writer Tony Schumacher, a former police officer in Liverpool, for any tips/advice?
I am obsessed with Tony, but it is all there on the page. He’s always there at the end of the phone if you want to ring him or ask any questions. In terms of research, we had a day at a casino, and some of our supporting artists already had croupier experience, because you can’t teach that! It’s such a skill. I tried to learn a bit, but I wasn’t very good! It’s such an intense environment too, with all the cameras and the rules. Even just replicating it on set is intense. You don’t know what’s real and what’s not.
Will audiences be supportive of Leanne throughout her struggles?
I love getting to play complicated, multifaceted people that have got lots of different layers. Hopefully because of what Leanne’s going through, you’re rooting for her. And for Matty as well, because he’s such a chaotic mess. We’re very much asking what the audience would do in their situation.
Who plays Matty and what does he bring to the role?
Matty is played by Michael Socha, who is a mate of mine - I’ve known Michael for ages, but we’ve never actually worked together. Leanne and Matty have this friendship where they take each other for granted – they do really care about each other, but they wind each other up and get on each other’s nerves.
Michael’s got funny bones, so I’ve got to try and be the straight one, but once I’m gone, I’m gone and I can’t stop laughing. Sometimes I have to look beyond him instead of looking at him. He’s a brilliant actor. Matty is another beautifully complex character, which has been so well written. And it’s the same with all the characters - Barry’s character, Gary, is a hard man, but he’s got so many layers and vulnerabilities, and there’s a reason that he’s got into being a gangster.
What was it like shooting in Liverpool?
Liverpool is my favourite city. Everyone makes me so welcome. The crew were amazing. Clare Shepherd and Al Mackay, our producer and director, created the most amazing set. It’s my favorite job.
People are so friendly in Liverpool. We were filming one day, and people were bringing out cupcakes and coming out in their pyjamas going, “Hey girl, come and have a cup of tea at ours”. I do feel like an adopted Scouser.
What can audiences expect from The Cage?
It’s high energy - full of love and laughter, but it might also break your heart.
The Cage is available now on BBC iPlayer
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