How to watch 'The Cage' online – stream the new Sheridan Smith series from anywhere in the world

Michael Socha and Sheridan Smith star in new BBC drama The Cage.
(Image credit: BBC)

When Sheridan Smith shows up in a TV series, you know you're in for a memorable ride and her new show "The Cage" promises much of the same. Get ready for high-stakes drama, messy relationships, and a tangled web of criminal activity!

Here's how to watch "The Cage" online from anywhere with this VPN — and potentially for free.

"The Cage" - How to watch, release dates, streaming options

The first episode of "The Cage" premieres on Sunday, April 26 at 9:00 p.m. BST on BBC One, with new episodes playing weekly. However, all five episodes will be available on BBC iPlayer immediately.
• WATCH FREE — BBC iPlayer (U.K.)
• U.S. — Britbox (date TBC)
• Canada — Britbox (date TBC)
• Australia — Britbox (date TBC)
• Watch BBC anywhere — use NordVPN 100% risk-free

Long ago, Smith was mostly associated with comedy shows like "Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps" and "The Royle Family". Since then she's become a multi-award-winning star of stage and screen, with high-profile credits including "Mrs Biggs", "Cilla" and "The C Word".

This new, five-part thriller will unite Smith with Michael Socha (who you may recognize from "This Is England" and "Being Human"), where they play Leanne and Matty, a couple of scam artists stealing from a casino. The problem is they're both operating in the same location, which leads to all kinds of trouble for the pair, as gangsters and police close in.

Are you ready to go all-in? If so, here's how you can watch "The Cage" online and from anywhere.

How to watch 'The Cage' for FREE

BBC iPlayer

All five episodes of "The Cage" will be available to stream for free on BBC iPlayer from Sunday, April 26.

If you're watching it on standard TV, you'll be able to tune in every Sunday at 9:00 p.m. BST for the next five weeks.

Outside the U.K.? You don't have to miss this show if you are a Brit living abroad because you can unblock BBC iPlayer with a VPN. We'll explain how to do that below...

How to watch 'The Cage' from anywhere

Thanks to the wonders of a VPN (Virtual Private Network), "The Cage" should be available to Brits no matter where they are. The software allows your devices to appear to be back in the U.K. and watch iPlayer for free, as if you were back home.

Not all VPNs works for this – but NordVPN does (we use it daily) and you can get an exclusive offer below:

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Use Nord to unblock your usual streaming service and watch all episodes of "The Cage" online with our exclusive deal.

Using a VPN is incredibly simple.

1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.

2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're away from the U.K. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.

3. Sit back and enjoy the show. Head to BBC iPlayer to watch "The Cage" online and on-demand.

How to watch 'The Cage' around the world

How to watch "The Cage" in the USA

US flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

In the U.S., we’re expecting "The Cage" to be available on Britbox, though no streaming date has been confirmed as yet.

U.K. resident visiting America? NordVPN can unlock your stream so you can watch all the episodes for free on BBC iPlayer when they land.

How to watch 'The Cage' in Canada

Canadian flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

As in the U.S., Britbox is the expected destination for "The Cage" in Canada, though again, the streamer hasn't confirmed a date.

If you're a Brit in Canada, you can also use NordVPN to watch all five episodes on BBC iPlayer from anywhere.

Where to watch 'The Cage' in Australia

Australian flag

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

We’re also expecting "The Cage" to turn up on Britbox in Australia, though again, no launch date has been announced.

Remember, If you are a Brit working or on vacation Down Under you can catch the show on your usual domestic streamer by using a VPN such as NordVPN.

'The Cage' — all you need to know

'The Cage' – cast

  • Sheridan Smith as Leanne
  • Michael Socha as Matty
  • Barry Sloane as Gary Packer
  • Geraldine James as Nancy Packer
  • Shaun Mason as Alan
  • Sue Jenkins as Shelagh
  • Louis Emerick as Paul
  • Eileen O'Brien as Nanna
  • Sophie Mensah as Fen Ning
  • Julia Papp as Irina
  • Max Ainsworth as Neil
  • Anton Bibby as Thomas
  • Freya Jones as Emily
  • Mona Goodwin as Trace
  • Gemma Barraclough as Jade
  • Isobel Khan as Paige
  • Rose McDermott as Ruby
  • Abby Mavers as Kelly

'The Cage' – trailer

The Cage | Trailer - BBC - YouTube The Cage | Trailer - BBC - YouTube
Watch On

What has Sheridan Smith said about 'The Cage'?

Smith smoke to fans at the premiere of the show recently, and admitted the immersive, hands-on approach of working in (and stealing from) a casino was tricky for her.

She said: "I was useless. I had to learn to count money out really fast, which was fine until Al [Mackay, director] shouted ‘action!’ and then it all went wrong. But hopefully in the edit it’ll be fine.

"And then, chips. I had to deal with a lot of the chips. But I’ve got nails, so I wasn’t great. I was dropping them a lot. So I didn’t come away with many skills, but it’s amazing how they do it. It’s so second nature to them, which is why it was such a genius idea to have the real [croupiers] in the scenes with us."

Smith also explained how the sets that were built to represent the casino were claustrophobic and uncomfortable, adding: "Filming those scenes, we did like three weeks, and you start to lose your mind.

"Because there’s no air, no windows, you don’t see daylight. That’s when we were really giggling. You can see why people lose track of time and get delirious. But it was really fun to see that world."

What has Michael Socha said about 'The Cage'?

When speaking to The Guardian about the project, Socha said: "I’m being really honest, I found the whole thing fun. You never know where you are. I enjoy that you’re not stuck in one place for too long, and by the time you run out of nooks and crannies to explore, you’re out of there, doing something else somewhere else."

The actor also said he was "buzzing" to work with Sheridan Smith and revealed he landed the role after putting in the "best audition" he's ever had.

What else can I watch on BBC iPlayer?

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Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

Jakob Barnes
Freelance Writer

Jakob has over 11 years of experience in journalism across sports, entertainment, tech, and politics. Now a freelance writer, he works with Future across a range of different brands including Golf Monthly, FourFourTwo, Tom's Guide and more.

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