Sheridan Smith, widely regarded as the queen of British television, has returned with a gripping new BBC crime thriller titled The Cage. In this series, she plays a struggling single mother who, alongside Michael Socha's character Matty, becomes entangled in a world of high-stakes robberies. The duo, burdened by debt, decide to use their thieving skills to solve their problems before it is too late. Critics have praised Smith's 'predictable' brilliance, and the miniseries has already captivated audiences. For those who have finished The Cage and are craving more, Smith boasts an impressive catalog of gritty crime dramas. Here is a guide to her best performances.
I Fought the Law
Smith excels at portraying real-life figures, and this ITV drama from 2025 is no exception. She plays Ann Ming, a mother of three who fought a 15-year battle against the 800-year-old Double Jeopardy Law to bring her daughter's murderer to justice. Smith earned a Bafta nomination for her powerful performance as the resilient woman challenging the British justice system. I Fought the Law is available to stream on ITVX.
Four Lives
In this BBC series, Smith stars alongside Stephen Merchant, who plays killer Stephen Port. The show follows the families of four young gay men targeted by Port through Grindr between 2014 and 2015, as they campaign for justice. Smith portrays Sarah Sak, the mother of Anthony Walgate, a key figure in holding the police accountable. Decider called it a 'tense and emotional drama,' while The Observer noted that Smith 'excels at these raw, direct roles, spasming with chain-smoking fury.' Four Lives is available to stream on BBC One.
Cleaning Up
If you enjoyed The Cage, Cleaning Up offers a similar premise. Smith plays a single mother and cash-strapped cleaner in corporate London who gambles into debt and turns to insider trading to recover her losses. Described as a 'twisty delight' and 'irresistible,' the series balances absurdity with watchability. Cleaning Up is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime Video.
No Return
In this 2022 crime drama, Smith plays a mother whose teenage son is arrested for sexual assault while on holiday in Turkey. The four-part series explores the fallout of the allegations and how they devastate the family. Hailed as 'outstanding' and 'compelling,' though not universally praised, No Return is available to stream on ITVX.
Mrs Biggs
One of Smith's most acclaimed roles, Mrs Biggs won her a Bafta and an Emmy nomination. She plays Charmian Biggs, who falls in love with Ronnie Biggs, one of the robbers in the 1963 Great Train Robbery. The series follows their life from eloping to Devon to living on the wrong side of the law and raising a family. Mrs Biggs is available to stream on ITVX.
