BBC axes Sheridan Smith crime drama The Cage after one series
The BBC will not commission a second series of The Cage, the five-part Liverpool casino crime drama starring Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha. The BBC thanked the cast and crew; coverage differs on emphasis.
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The story, neutrally told
The BBC has decided not to make a second series of The Cage, the crime drama starring Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha. Digital SpyN “The BBC has axed The Cage, the crime drama that starred Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha” Read at Digital Spy ↗ Daily MailR “it has now been revealed that the show will not return for a second series” Read at Daily Mail ↗ The drama ran for five episodes from April and follows two Liverpool casino workers who find they are both stealing from the same safe. Daily MailR “two Liverpool casino workers Leanne (Sheridan) and Matty (Michael Socha) who discovered they were both robbing from the same safe” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Digital SpyN “the show premiered in April and ran for five episodes” Read at Digital Spy ↗ It was written by Tony Schumacher, who also created The Responder. Daily MailR “Written by Tony Schumacher, who also wrote police drama The Responder” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Digital SpyN “Created by Tony Schumacher, the man behind Martin Freeman's The Responder” Read at Digital Spy ↗
A BBC spokesperson said the broadcaster loved bringing the story to viewers and thanked Schumacher, production company Element Pictures and the cast and crew. Digital SpyN “We loved bringing Leanne and Matty's story to BBC viewers and send our heartfelt thanks to Tony Schumacher, Element Pictures and all the cast and crew” Read at Digital Spy ↗ Daily MailR “A BBC spokesman told the Daily Mail” Read at Daily Mail ↗ The Daily Mail says the show drew three million viewers, and quotes an unnamed source saying the BBC has to make room for new and returning dramas. Daily MailR “drawing in three million viewers”“'But the BBC has to make way for new and returning dramas and not everything can become a long-runner.'” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Digital Spy notes the series has a 100% rating from 11 critic reviews on Rotten Tomatoes and left some loose ends open. Digital SpyN “leaving some loose ends open”“the show has a perfect 100% rating from 11 critic reviews” Read at Digital Spy ↗
Both outlets point to other Element Pictures projects still coming to the BBC, including Nightsleeper series two and David Nicholls's You Are Here. Daily MailR “series two of Nightsleeper and new David Nicholls series You Are Here” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Digital SpyN “The second season of thriller Nightsleeper is also on the way” Read at Digital Spy ↗ The Daily Mail adds that Smith has had other series end after one run, and recalls her 2024 West End show Opening Night closing early. Daily MailR “The 7:39, Cleaning Up and The Castaways all failing to return after just one series”“cancelled two months early” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on.
Left0 outlets
No left outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- A straightforward entertainment news item that leads with the cancellation and stresses the show's critical praise.
- Emphasis
- Positive reviews, including a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score and an Observer quote, loose ends left open, and where to stream the show.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not give viewing figures or any reason for the decision, and does not mention Smith's other cancelled projects.
- Charged language
- “British drama at its best”
- For example
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“Despite impressing critics and fans alike, as well as leaving some loose ends open, the decision has been made not to do another season.” — Digital Spy
“On Rotten Tomatoes, the show has a perfect 100% rating from 11 critic reviews” — Digital Spy
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- Reports the cancellation as a setback, citing audience size and praise, and ties it to a run of Smith projects that ended early.
- Emphasis
- Three million viewers, an anonymous source on scheduling reasons, and Smith's earlier cancellations including the West End flop Opening Night.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Gives no critic ratings and does not say whether the BBC made a formal announcement.
- Charged language
- “axed”“problem-plagued”“blasted by critics”“slammed by theatregoers”
- For example
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“It isn't the first time Sheridan has had a series axed” — Daily Mail
“A source said: 'Viewers had become invested in the storyline” — Daily Mail
What every side reports
- The BBC will not make a second series of The Cage.
- The series ran for five episodes from April and starred Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha.
- Tony Schumacher, who also created The Responder, wrote it.
- A BBC spokesperson thanked Schumacher, Element Pictures and the cast and crew.
- Element Pictures still has Nightsleeper series two and You Are Here coming to the BBC.
Where accounts differ
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Why the series was not renewed
- Centre
- Gives no reason; says only that the decision was made despite good reviews.
- Right
- Quotes an unnamed source saying the BBC has to make way for new and returning dramas.
Left0 articles
No coverage yet.
Centre1 article
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Sheridan Smith thriller dubbed "British drama at its best" has been 'axed by BBC'
Sympathetic Reports the cancellation while stressing critical acclaim, and points readers to other Element Pictures shows and iPlayer.
Right1 article
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Mixed Presents the cancellation as surprising given the viewing figures, then turns to Smith's record of shows and plays that ended early.
- 30 Sep 22:27 First Daily MailR Sheridan Smith's BBC drama The Cage is axed after just one series despite her 'superb' performance and 3million viewers
- 30 Sep 23:12 +45m Digital SpyN Sheridan Smith thriller dubbed "British drama at its best" has been 'axed by BBC'
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.