Viewers of the BBC's latest crime drama, The Cage, have voiced their frustration just minutes into the first episode, with many sharing the same complaint about anachronistic props.
Mixed Reactions to New Crime Drama
The high-stakes crime drama, which aired on BBC One on Sunday night (April 26), stars Sheridan Smith and Michael Socha as Leanne Chapel and Matty Flynn, two casino employees who discover they are both stealing from the same safe.
As the episode unfolded, viewers took to social media to express their confusion over the show's time period. In one scene, Matty uses a smartphone to receive a message, while Leanne works on an old computer that appears to be from the 1990s.
Viewer Complaints
One person wrote: 'Struggling with #TheCage after 30 mins ... Sheridan Smith & Michael Socha are surely much better than this?' Another added: 'What's with the computer monitor from 1992?'
A third viewer commented: 'I've given up. I couldn't make it through the first episode. I usually like Sheridan Smith, but this is a mess, like you couldn't make out when it's supposed to be set.'
Others echoed the confusion, with one saying: 'When is this supposed to be? 02 Fiat, 80s music, smartphones?' Another quipped: 'An Uber in the 90s?? #TheCage'
Some Praise for Pacing
Despite the criticism, some viewers appreciated the drama's fast-paced start. One person noted: '#TheCage this drama is starting straight into the plot - no wasting time with characterisation.'
Sheridan Smith on Her Character
Speaking to the BBC, Sheridan Smith expressed hope that audiences would root for her character, Leanne. 'I love getting to play complicated, multifaceted people that have got lots of different layers,' she said. 'Hopefully, because of what Leanne's going through, you're rooting for her. And for Matty as well, because he's such a chaotic mess. We're very much asking what the audience would do in their situation.'
Synopsis
The official synopsis for The Cage reads: 'When Leanne (played by Smith) and Matty (Michael Socha) discover they are both robbing from the safe at the inner-city casino they work in, their lives are set on a collision course; with each other, the local gangster they're stealing from, and the police.'
The Cage is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
