Sheridan Smith was seen filming new BBC One crime drama The Cage in Liverpool for the first time on Wednesday.

The actress, 43, was shooting scenes outside a café in Merseyside alongside her co-Showtrial star Michael Socha.

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).

Writer Tony 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.’ 

While on set she dressed in a white shirt and тιԍнт black skirt and heels and kept warm in a long coat between takes. 

Sheridan Smith was seen filming new BBC One crime drama The Cage in Liverpool for the first time on Wednesday

The actress, 43, was shooting scenes outside a café in Merseyside alongside her co-Showtrial star Michael Socha

Created by BAFTA nominated Tony Schumacher 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

Scenes were then being sH๏τ inside the café where Michael was seen wearing a smart black suit. 

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

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.

While on set she dressed in a white shirt and тιԍнт black skirt and heels and kept warm in a long coat between takes

The five-part drama will be directed by Al Mackay (Kidnapped, Without Sin)

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

Scenes were then being sH๏τ inside the café where Michael was seen wearing a smart black suit

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.’

Read More Sheridan Smith lands major new BBC One drama as she returns to TV screens after West End disaster

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.

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

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

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

They were busy on set on Wednesday

Michael covered up in a long black coat 

She was seen leaving the café after they’d finished filming 

She was dressed as a typical office worker for filming 

She boosted her height with black block heels 

Sheridan will be back on screens after landing the lead in major new BBC drama The Cage

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.