“As good as crime dramas get”: 8 “underrated” Sheridan Smith dramas to watch on ITV, Netflix, the BBC & more

When Sheridan Smith takes on a TV role, you know it's going to be the sort of series you're thinking about for hours after you watch it. From her role as Liverpudlian icon Cilla Black to her latest as a casino worker as The Cage, she's given us too many great performances to count - but there are some underrated gems we think deserve a bit more attention, including one that's about as good as crime dramas get.

For starters, we've got a rom-com that involves a morning commute (that's The 7.39), a powerful true crime drama that stars Sheridan as a mother whose son is murdered, and a comedy drama that gives Gavin & Stacey a run for its money. So, put your plans to one side for a moment because these are the 8 underrated Sheridan Smith dramas to watch now on ITV, Netflix, the BBC and more.

Four Lives

This powerful true crime drama stars Sheridan as the mother of Anthony Walgate, one of four young gay men murdered by Stephen Port between June 2014 and September 2015. The gut-wrenching series tells how, when the Stephen was convicted in 2016, a jury ruled that there were police failures in the investigation, and had they been avoided, some of the victims might still be alive. It handles the events sensitively, while portraying the painful struggles of the victims’ families and friends in heartbreaking details. Available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.

The Teacher

As gripping dramas go, The Teacher is up there with the best of them. Sheridan is the star of series one as Jenna Garvey, an English teacher at a public school in Bradford who’s accused of sleeping with a 15-year-old student after a drunken night out. She can't imagine doing such a thing, but the problem is, she can’t remember a thing from the night. While it can be an uncomfortable watch at times, Sheridan's performance is unmissable. The Teacher is available to watch now on Channel 5.

The Castaways

What would you do if you found out your sister mysteriously vanished after boarding a plane you were also meant to be on? That's exactly what happens in The Castaways, in which Erin (Celine Buckens) and Lori (Smith) enjoy a tropical getaway before a seemingly small tiff changes the course of their lives. After the argument, Erin misses their plane to Fiji, which ends up crashing, and while everyone is presumed dead, a purchase on Lori’s credit card months gives Erin hope her sister is still alive... The Castaways is available to watch now on Paramount+.

The Widower

If you're looking for a series that's as good as crime dramas get, look no further than The Widower. The three-part series, which first aired on ITV in 2014, stars Smith as the real-life Claire Morris, who was killed by her husband Malcolm Webster (Reece Shearsmith) for insurance money. The chilling series explores how the former nurse was convicted of poisoning and killing first wife, Claire, and attempted to do the same to his second wife Felicity Drumm (Kate Fleetwood), in order to claim hundreds of thousands of pounds in life insurance. The Widower is available to watch now on Netflix.

Black Work

If you’re looking for something with more twists than a rollercoaster, then Black Work is an unmissable watch. Sheridan stars as police officer Jo Gillespie, whose life unravels when her husband Ryan (Kenny Doughty) is shot dead. Jo is determined to find the killer and risks everything - and we really do mean everything - to uncover the truth behind his mysterious murder, which reveals some surprise secrets about her marriage. All three episodes of Black Work are available to watch on ITVX.

Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything

Sheridan's star quality shines in six-part comedy drama, Rosie Molloy Gives Up Everything. Rosie (Sheridan) is addicted to cigarettes, alcohol, pills and even Terry’s Chocolate Orange. After an embarrassing incident at her brother’s wedding, she makes the big decision to better her life and change her ways. Now, Rosie is faced with the existential concern of who she really is without her vices. The full series is available to watch now on Sky and NOW.

Care

This moving 90-minute drama sees Sheridan play working single mother Jenny, whose life unravels when her mother Mary (Alison Steadman) suffers a stroke. Mary has been Jenny's lifeline and her help with childcare has meant she's able to hold down her full-time job at the supermarket. Now, her world has been shattered and she must face bitter battle with a healthcare system that's broken. Care is available to watch now on Netflix.

The 7.39

Have you ever made eye contact with someone on a train and fantasised about a life with them? In The 7.39, Sally (Sheridan) and Carl (David Morrissey) are both partnered up, but when they fall for each other on a commuter train, they struggle to contain their desires. Their usually mundane lives are thrown into chaos when their affair is exposed, leaving their other halves heartbroken. If Smith and Morrissey's powerhouse performances aren’t enough for you, Olivia Colman plays Carl’s inconsolable wife. The 7.39 is available to watch now on BBC iPlayer.