The BBC’s new drama starring Sheridan Smith is set in Liverpool
Sheridan Smith enjoyed returning to Liverpool to film The Cage(Image: BBC / Element Pictures)
BBC’s new series “The Cage” starts this weekend and viewers may notice some familiar locations on screen. The new five-part series was filmed in Liverpool last year. ECHO photographers captured some fantastic photos when camera crew arrived in the city centre in June 2025.
In its description for the thrilling new drama, the BBC said: “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.”
Sheridan Smith stars as single mum Leanne Chapel who is a cashier at the casino. Michael Socha plays Matty Flynn, who is the manager of the Envoy Casino.
Last summer, TV crews were spotted filming in Liverpool city centre for The Cage. ECHO photographers captured Sheridan Smith driving a mustard yellow Fiat Multipla as TV crews were setting up for what appeared to be a car chase scene.
Filming took place in Liverpool last year(Image: Colin Lane/Liverpool Echo)
Filming continued on Brunswick Street with two other actors, Barry Sloane and Sophie Mensah, who portray Gary and Fen.
Parts of Water Street were also closed off when filming took place, as well as the Baltic Triangle and Sefton Park. Some areas of the Wirral were also used in the show, including some streets in Caldy.
Take a look at the ECHO’s photo gallery when filming took place in 2025.
Sheridan Smith takes on the leading role as cashier Leanne Chapel. Speaking about her character, Sheridan said: “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.”
The 44-year-old actress enjoyed returning to Liverpool for filming as she described it as her “favourite city”. Sheridan became an “adopted Scouser” following her incredible portrayal of Liverpool icon Cilla Black in the 2014 series “Cilla”.
Liverpool was transformed for filming(Image: Liverpool Echo)
Speaking about returning to the city for The Cage, she said: “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 favourite 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.”
Ahead of the show’s release, Tony Schumacher, who hails from Liverpool, said: “Coming back to the BBC with my second major show and being able to work with such talents as Sheridan, Michael and the teams at Element Pictures and the BBC is such an honour.
“On top of that, having a director of Al’s calibre really is the cherry on the big Liverpool drama cake we’re baking together. I’m hoping people will find it funny, dark, but most of all full of love, life and entertainment and I can’t wait for the world to see it.”
The Cage starts on Sunday April, 26 from 6am on BBC iPlayer and 9pm on BBC One.