Sheridan Smith had a visit from her close friend Charley Webb as filming for BBC One drama The Cage continued in Liverpool on Tuesday.
The actress, 43, who plays a thief named Leanne, was greeted on set by the soapstar, 37, as they caught up between takes.
Charley, known for her role as Debbie Dingle on Emmerdale, gave her pal and hug and looked after her dog while they filmed.
Sheridan was dressed in a pink Gymshark hoodie and matching jogging bottoms, with a padded jacket layered over the top.
She introduced Charley to her castmates who were pictured hugging each other and laughing.
Charley dressed casually in a blue jacket which she teamed with a pair of denim cargo trousers.
Sheridan Smith had a visit from her close friend Charley Webb as filming for BBC One drama The Cage continued in Liverpool on Tuesday
The actress, 43, who plays a thief named Leanne, was greeted on set by the soapstar, 37, as they caught up between takes
Written and created by BAFTA nominated Tony Schumacher (The Responder) the drama follows Leanne (Sheridan) and Matty (Michael Socha) who discover they are both robbing from the safe at the inner-city casino they work in.
The five-part series will be directed by Al Mackay (Kidnapped, Without Sin).
Writer Tony teased: ‘I’m hoping people will find it funny, dark but, most of all, full of love, life and entertainment. ‘I can’t wait for the world to see it.’
The new role comes after it was revealed that Sheridan had indefinitely shelved her long-awaited autobiography, Honestly.
Announced in 2021, the tell-all book was intended to explore the actress’s darkest moments, including her battles with alcohol, mental health struggles and high-profile relationships, such as those with actor James Corden and Jamie Horn, the father of her son.
However, after multiple delays, the project has been cancelled. A source revealed to The Sun: ‘Sheridan has had a busy few years and didn’t have time to put the finishing touches to the book.
‘Her mindset is different now, and she doesn’t want this version to come out. She felt unsure whether she wants to put all of her life on pages for everyone to read.’
This decision came as no surprise to fans familiar with The Huntsman performer’s long-standing struggles.
Charley, known for her role as Debbie Dingle on Emmerdale, gave her pal and hug and looked after her dog while they filmed
Sheridan was dressed in a pink Gymshark hoodie and matching jogging bottoms, with a padded jacket layered over the top
She introduced Charley to her castmates who were pictured hugging each other and laughing
Charley dressed casually in a blue jacket which she teamed with a pair of denim cargo trousers
The drama follows Leanne (Sheridan) and Matty (Michael Socha) who discover they are both robbing from the safe at the inner-city casino they work in
Writer Tony teased: ‘I’m hoping people will find it funny, dark but, most of all, full of love, life and entertainment. ‘I can’t wait for the world to see it’
The new role comes after it was revealed that Sheridan had indefinitely shelved her long-awaited autobiography, Honestly
In 2016, the actress faced a highly publicised breakdown while starring in the West End production of Funny Girl.
Stress, exhaustion and her father’s cancer diagnosis compounded her mental health issues, forcing her to take a hiatus from the show.
Reflecting on that period, Sheridan admitted: ‘I was very ashamed of that time in my life. I went off the rails a bit, dated all the wrong people… I feel like I’m a mum now, and I’m very grateful for everything I’ve got. I feel like the best is yet to come.’
The BAFTA-winning actress has never shied away from discussing her mental health battles, often tying them to the pressures of fame and loss.
Her father’s death in 2016 profoundly affected her, leading to an extended period of grief.
‘The public always stood by me… People were stopping me and cuddling me on the street,’ she shared in a recent interview, expressing gratitude for the understanding she received during that time.
