Sheridan Smith will soon be back on TV screens after landing the lead in a major new BBC drama.

The acclaimed actress will star alongside Showtrial actor Michael Socha in The Cage, a crime show set in a Merseyside casino.

Written and created by BAFTA nominated Tony Schumacher (The Responder) the BBC One drama follows Leanne (Smith) and Matty (Socha) who discover they are both robbing from the safe at the inner-city casino they work in. 

The five-part drama will be directed by Al Mackay (Kidnapped, Without Sin) and sH๏τ in and around Liverpool and Merseyside, with filming due to kick off in the coming weeks.

Writer Tony Schumacher teased: ‘I’m hoping people will find it funny, dark but, most of all, full of love, life and entertainment. ‘I can’t wait for the world to see it.’ 

The new role comes after it was revealed that Sheridan had indefinitely shelved her long-awaited autobiography, Honestly.

Sheridan Smith will be back on screens after landing the lead in a major new BBC drama – The Cage, a crime show set in a Merseyside casino

Announced in 2021, the tell-all book was intended to explore the actress’s darkest moments, including her battles with alcohol, mental health struggles and high-profile relationships, such as those with actor James Corden and Jamie Horn, the father of her son.

However, after multiple delays, the project has been cancelled. A source revealed to The Sun: ‘Sheridan has had a busy few years and didn’t have time to put the finishing touches to the book.

‘Her mindset is different now, and she doesn’t want this version to come out. She felt unsure whether she wants to put all of her life on pages for everyone to read.’

This decision came as no surprise to fans familiar with The Huntsman performer’s long-standing struggles.

In 2016, the actress faced a highly publicised breakdown while starring in the West End production of Funny Girl.

Stress, exhaustion and her father’s cancer diagnosis compounded her mental health issues, forcing her to take a hiatus from the show.

Reflecting on that period, Sheridan admitted: ‘I was very ashamed of that time in my life.

‘I went off the rails a bit, dated all the wrong people… I feel like I’m a mum now, and I’m very grateful for everything I’ve got. I feel like the best is yet to come.’

The actress will star alongside Michael Socha. The drama follows Leanne (Smith) and Matty (Socha) who discover they are both robbing from the safe at the inner-city casino they work in

Sheridan’s most recent West End play, Opening Night (pictured), faced harsh criticism and an early closure, as producers blamed a ‘challenging financial landscape’ for the shock decision

The BAFTA-winning actress has never shied away from discussing her mental health battles, often tying them to the pressures of fame and loss.

Her father’s death in 2016 profoundly affected her, leading to an extended period of grief.

‘The public always stood by me… People were stopping me and cuddling me on the street,’ she shared in a recent interview, expressing graтιтude for the understanding she received during that time.

Her most recent West End play, Opening Night, which she described as ‘close to the bone’, highlighted the parallels between her own struggles and those of her character, a functioning alcoholic actress unraveling under pressure.

Despite Sheridan’s dedication to the role, the production faced harsh criticism and an early closure, as producers blamed a ‘challenging financial landscape’ for the shock decision.

The show ended its run at the Gielgud Theatre in London in May 2024, two months earlier than originally planned.

She broke down in tears when discussing the play, revealing: ‘I was just heartbroken for the company. I felt like I let them down in a way, that I couldn’t sell it.’

The actress explained that Opening Night forced her to confront her demons.

‘I wanted to prove that I could do it, that I could face my demons. I’m so much stronger than I was back then,’ she said.