Sheridan Smith has had a dramatic image change for her latest role with the actress looking worlds apart from her usual style. The new look comes as BBC released first-look images of its new drama The Cage.
The former Two Pints of Lager, Cilla and Mrs Biggs star has morphed into a character called Leanne in the production, that has been written and created by BAFTA nominated Tony Schumacher. The series, which will be shown on BBC One and iPlay follows a high-stakes, high energy crime story that has been set within the world of a Liverpool Casino with two unforgettable characters at its heart.
In the new images, Sheridan is seen in a casino worker’s uniform. She can be seen standing next to co-star Michael Socha, who takes on the role of Matty. While Sheridan’s character is seen donning the golden waistcoat and bow-tie, Michael’s is in a black suit and tie combination.
Michael Socha and Sheridan Smith star in The Cage(Image: James Stack)
The duo will be joined in the five-part series by House of the Dragon’s Barry Sloane, and Dope Girls actor Geraldine James. Also featuring will be Anton Bibby, Freya Jones and Sophie Mensah.
Abby Mavers, Shaun Mason, Louis Emerick, Ian Puleston Davies, Julia Papp, Katy Carmichael, Dave Hart, Eileen O’Brien, Eithne Browne, and Mona Goodwin also star.
Article continues below
In the series, characters Leanne and Matty find they are both robbing from the safe at the casino they both work in. It sets their lives on a collision course with both themselves, the local gangster they’re stealing from, and the police.
As viewers get ready for the new series, Sheridan’s impressive appearance on ITV’s Cilla is once again gaining plaudits. The series was initially aired back in 2014, but has recently been added to Netflix, much to the delight of her fans.
Michael Socha as Matty(Image: James Stack)
The three-part series sees Sheridan play the part of the legendary singer Cilla Black. The series looks back at the early stages of the icon’s career and explores how her life was transformed upon meeting Brian Epstein, the manager of The Beatles.
The official synopsis for Cilla reads: “‘Cilla’ tells of her rocky rise to fame and will capture the essence of 1960s Liverpool, the atmosphere of promise and excitement as the Merseybeat music scene was on the verge of exploding in a blaze of tight-fitting skirts, stiletto heels, and beehives.”
It continues: “A young, unknown Cilla works in the austere environs of the typists’ pool at a local company, dreaming of stardom. The drama looks at how she met the two men who came to love her and ultimately fought over her – future husband Bobby Willis and legendary manager Brian Epstein, the tragic young businessman who also guided the career of The Beatles.
“We learn how Cilla’s burgeoning friendship with John, Paul, George, and Ringo – the four young men who went on to conquer the music world – shaped her career.
“It was family friend Ritchie Starkey (Ringo), the teddy-boy with a greasy quiff, who helped her to cross paths with Brian Epstein and producer George Martin, who were to launch her career with recording sessions at the world-famous Abbey Road Studios.”