Here at Freely, we have seriously serious love for Sheridan Smith—cast her as a barmaid, and she’d probably steal the show without breaking a smile. Whether she’s navigating heartbreak, cracking criminal conspiracies, or lighting up the screen with belly-laugh comedy, she brings that raw, unforgettable energy that just sticks with you.
Ready to fall even more in love? Here’s a spotlight on her most thrilling, hilarious, and heart-wrenching roles—from binge-worthy crime dramas to laugh-out-loud sitcom gems—that prove she’s one of the UK’s absolute best!
The Moorside
Watch on ITVX
The Moorside tells the true story of Shannon Matthews’ disappearance and the fierce, local women who refuse to sit back while the police scramble to find her. Tension, heartbreak, and shocking twists pile up as the community bands together, the media descend, and every lead could either bring hope… or heartbreak. Honestly, it’s edge-of-your-seat stuff from start to finish, and you’ll be holding your breath the whole time!
Sheridan Smith performance is as good as ever! Every worried glance, every determined step, and every heartfelt moment lands with full force, making her character utterly believable and keeping you completely invested in the search and its shocking revelations.
I Fought the Law
Coming soon to ITV/STV
We are counting down the minutes till this one comes out! I Fought the Law tells the true story of Ann Ming (Sheridan Smith) and dives deep into her grief, determination, and unshakable fight for justice after her daughter is murdered, and the prime suspect walks free not once but twice under the double jeopardy law. Refusing to give up, Ann launches a years-long battle to change the law itself and finally bring her daughter’s killer to justice.
We are very much expecting, a powerful, goosebump and tear-inducing performance from Sheridan Smith that will likely have us holding our breath until longggg after the credits roll.
Black Work
Watch now on ITVX
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Black Work follows Joanna Marshall, a woman whose husband’s mysterious death unravels a web of secrets, lies, and betrayal. Determined to uncover the truth, Joanna dives headfirst into a dangerous game where every step she takes brings her closer to shocking revelations and further into danger! Are you sat on the edge of your seat?
Sheridan Smith is absolutely captivating as Joanna, bringing a perfect mix of intensity, vulnerability, and strong determination to the role. She makes every twist hit harder with her expressive performances, subtle gestures, and emotional depth, keeping viewers hooked and invested from the first shocking secret to the final nail-biting revelation!
Cilla
Stream now on ITVX
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This sparkling biographical drama is a total treat for music lovers and Sheridan Smith fans alike! Cilla charts the rise of the young Liverpool singer Cilla Black, from humble beginnings to pop stardom, with all the glitz, heartbreak, and drama that comes with life in the spotlight. It’s full of catchy tunes, dazzling costumes, and moments that will have you swooning and singing along!
Sheridan Smith is completely magnetic as Cilla Black, capturing her vulnerability, and fiery ambition to a teeeeee! From her emotional highs on stage to the quiet, intimate moments off it, Sheridan’s performance makes you believe every step of Cilla’s journey, giving the character both glamour and humility.
Two Pints a Lager and a Packet of Crisps
Watch now on BBC iPlayer
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Get ready for a whole lotta laughing in this series! Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps is the cheeky, laugh-out-loud sitcom that became a cult classic, following a group of twenty-somethings muddling their way through love, friendship, and pints down the pub. Full of outrageous jokes, messy nights out, and those “did-they-really-just-say-that?!” moments, it’s pure nostalgic fun and still endlessly bingeable today.
Sheridan Smith is unforgettable as Janet Keogh, bringing warmth, sass, and impeccable comic timing to the role. Whether she’s trading barbs with Gaz, getting caught up in ridiculous antics, or showing flashes of heartfelt vulnerability, Sheridan lights up the screen and proves why she became one of the UK’s most loved actors!
Mrs Biggs
Watch now on ITVX
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Mrs Biggs dives deep into the extraordinary true story of Charmian Biggs, the wife of the infamous train robber Ronnie Biggs, navigating a life of crime, exile, and media scrutiny. The drama whisks you through Charmian’s life as she juggles loyalty to her husband, raising their children, and evading the law, alllll with the world watching her every move. It’s chaotic, it’s gripping, and it’s totally unmissable, with twists that will have you gasping and clutching the armrest!
Sheridan Smith nails this role. She makes every escape, every emotional breakdown, and every quiet moment count, giving Charmian a personality that keeps you rooting for her even when she’s deep in the heart of chaos — basically, Sheridan at her absolute bestttt!
Four Lives
Stream on BBC iPlayer
Four Lives tells the harrowing true story of the women murdered by Stephen Port and the tireless families who fought to bring him to justice. The drama explores the shocking failures of the system, the tireless investigations, and the personal anguish of the victims’ loved ones, keeping you gripped from the first devastating revelation to the courtroom confrontations that will leave you breathless.
Sheridan Smith stars as one of the victims’ mothers, bringing raw emotion, determination, and tender humanity to every scene. She makes the grief, frustration, and courage of her character heart-breaking, leaving viewers both moved and in awe of her sheer acting brilliance!
The Teacher
Stream on 5
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The Teacher dives into the tense and controversial story of a schoolteacher whose life spirals into chaos when her relationships with students come under scrutiny. Secrets, lies, and shocking revelations unfold as the investigation intensifies, leaving everyone questioning what’s real, what’s hidden, and who can be trusted. It’s gripping, provocative, and utterly binge-worthy — the kind of drama that keeps you hooked until the very last twist.
Sheridan Smith perfectly balances the character’s charm, vulnerability, and moral complexity. She makes every conflicted glance and emotional moment hit hard, pulling the audience into the whirlwind of tension and leaving us simultaneously fascinated and unsettled by her character’s choices.
No Return
Watch now on ITVX
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No Return follows a family whose all-inclusive holiday turns into a nightmare when a shocking crime lands teenager Noah in Turkey’s justice system. With the parents desperate to protect their children and every move scrutinised, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The drama navigates through tense interrogations, high-stakes confrontations, and shocking revelations, showing how far a family will go to survive and stay together.
Sheridan Smith is brilliantly convincing as the mother caught in the chaos, showing every flicker of fear, resolve, and determination. She makes the struggle to keep her family safe feel urgent and real, drawing viewers into every nail-biting decision.
Jonathon Creek
Watch now on BBC iPlayer
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Jonathan Creek is the cult-favourite mystery series where nothing is ever as it seems — impossible crimes, baffling puzzles, and a touch of dark humour keep audiences guessing. Each episode unravels a new case, full of clever twists and quirky suspects, as Creek’s unique mind works to crack the unsolvable.
Sheridan Smith joined the series as Joey Ross, a resourceful and curious sidekick who quickly proved she was more than just comic relief. She brought a fresh energy to the show, mixing sharp instincts with down-to-earth charm!
The Widower
Stream on ITVX
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The Widower tells the chilling true story of Malcolm Webster, a man who charmed his way into women’s lives before using deception, betrayal, and cold-blooded calculation to devastating ends. The series tracks his crimes, the investigations that closed in on him, and the lives torn apart by his manipulations.
Sheridan Smith plays the stunning Felicity Drumm, one of Webster’s unsuspecting partners, and she brings both warmth and vulnerability to the role. Her performance makes Felicity’s trust — and eventual horror — feel heartbreakingly real, grounding the drama and reminding viewers of the human cost behind Webster’s crimes.
The Cage
Coming soon to BBC
This high-stakes, high-energy crime drama is heading to your screens veryyyy soon, and trust us, it’s going to be unmissable! The Cage follows Leanne (Sheridan Smith), a casino worker in Liverpool, who teams up with her co-worker for what seems like a daring but clever plan to steal some extra money. But what starts as a cheeky gamble turns into a messy game of survival, with ruthless gangsters on one side and the law closing in fast on the other!
Now we can’t review her role in this just yet since the show isn’t out, but if her performance in Mrs Biggs is anything to go off… then we are going to be in for a treatttt!
And if you’re loving the cast led recommendations why not checkout our top Suranne Jones shows to stream right now!
