Sheridan Smith is taking on another gripping television role, this time in Two Birds, a new crime thriller from ITV set in the remote mining communities of Western Australia. Known for her ability to portray complicated characters with warmth and emotional depth, the BAFTA-winning actress will lead a six-part drama that combines a murder investigation with family secrets, personal guilt and dangerous decisions.
The Sheridan Smith new drama, Two Birds, follows British police constable Izzie Cornwell, who moves to Australia hoping to rebuild her life after being widowed. Her fresh start soon becomes complicated when she joins a murder investigation and finds herself caught in a web of secrets that threatens both her career and her family.
ITV announced the series in March 2026, with first-look images released in September. The production also features Australian acting talent, including Stephen Peacocke and Jacki Weaver. Here is what viewers need to know about the story, cast, characters and release plans.
What Is Sheridan Smith’s New Drama?
Two Birds is a six-episode mystery crime thriller commissioned by ITV and co-produced with Australian streaming service Stan. The series is written by Helen FitzGerald, known for The Cry, and directed by BAFTA-nominated filmmaker James Griffiths.
The story takes place in the fictional town of Dugdale, inspired by the remote mining communities of Western Australia. Its setting plays an important role in the drama, creating an isolated environment where local loyalties, family connections and long-held secrets complicate a murder investigation.
Smith plays Izzie Cornwell, a British police constable who arrives in Australia looking for a new beginning. However, the circumstances surrounding her arrival and a reckless decision made shortly before she joins the investigation threaten to undermine the future she hopes to build.
Rather than presenting a straightforward detective story, Two Birds combines police work with a personal crisis. Izzie must investigate a serious crime while trying to protect her family and conceal a secret of her own.
The series is being produced by AC Chapter One, with Stan as its Australian co-production partner. ITV has confirmed that it will air on ITV and STV in the UK and be available through ITVX and STV Player.
What Is the Story of Two Birds About?
At the centre of Two Birds is Izzie Cornwell’s attempt to start over after a period of personal loss and destructive behaviour.
Recently widowed, she travels from Britain to Western Australia, hoping to reconnect with her sister and repair her relationship with her 20-year-old daughter. Her daughter, however, is worried about her mother’s recent choices, making it clear that a change of location cannot immediately repair the damage to their relationship.
Izzie’s professional responsibilities soon become just as complicated. She is assigned to investigate a murder alongside Matt, a homicide detective from Perth. When the investigation leads to a notorious local crime family, the case becomes increasingly dangerous.
The family’s formidable matriarch, Mrs Baxter, is determined to protect those close to her while uncovering the truth about the killing. Her determination places her on a collision course with the investigation.
At the same time, Izzie has a secret that could destroy everything she is trying to rebuild. A reckless night and a split-second decision have left her facing consequences she cannot simply reverse.
This creates the central tension of the series: Izzie must uncover the truth about a murder while confronting the possibility that her own actions could expose her to serious consequences.
Sheridan Smith as Izzie Cornwell
Sheridan Smith takes the lead role as Izzie Cornwell, a police officer whose professional instincts are tested by her private life.
Izzie is not introduced as someone who has everything under control. She is grieving, struggling with family relationships and attempting to leave a difficult period behind her. Her decision to move to Australia offers the possibility of change, but it also places her in unfamiliar surroundings where she has few established relationships to rely on.
Smith has built a reputation for roles that require emotional range, including her performances in Mrs Biggs, The Teacher, No Return and I Fought the Law. Her portrayal of real-life campaigner Ann Ming in I Fought the Law demonstrated her ability to carry a drama built around grief, determination and the pursuit of justice.
Izzie presents a different challenge because she is both an investigator and someone with something to hide. She must make decisions as a police officer while dealing with the consequences of her own behaviour.
Speaking about the role when ITV announced the project, Smith described Izzie as a complex character searching for a new beginning. She also expressed enthusiasm for returning to film in Australia.
The role gives Smith an opportunity to explore a character whose intentions may be understandable even when her decisions are questionable.
Two Birds Cast: Who Stars Alongside Sheridan Smith?
The series brings together British and Australian performers, with established actors playing characters whose personal interests become closely connected to the murder investigation.
Stephen Peacocke as Matt
Stephen Peacocke plays Matt, a homicide detective from Perth who works alongside Izzie on the murder case.
His character brings a more experienced investigative perspective to the story, although the details of his relationship with Izzie and his wider role in the case remain something viewers will discover through the series.
Peacocke is known for Australian television productions including Five Bedrooms and The Newsreader. His casting also strengthens the show’s connection to the Australian setting.
Jacki Weaver as Mrs Baxter
Jacki Weaver joins the cast as Mrs Baxter, the powerful matriarch of a notorious local crime family.
Mrs Baxter is not simply a background figure in the investigation. She is determined to protect her family and discover the truth, putting her interests at odds with the police when the investigation threatens those closest to her.
Weaver is internationally recognised for performances in Animal Kingdom and Silver Linings Playbook. Her experience playing forceful, complicated characters makes her a notable addition to the cast.
Her character’s conflict with Izzie is expected to be one of the drama’s central sources of tension.
Other Cast Members
The production features a wider Australian ensemble, supporting the story’s focus on a remote community and the relationships within it.
ITV has confirmed the involvement of Australian performers alongside Smith and Peacocke. The series is also written by Helen FitzGerald, with Megan Palinkas contributing an episode and Corrie Chen directing three episodes.
The combination of British and Australian creative talent reflects the programme’s cross-country production and its setting in Western Australia.
Where Is Two Birds Filmed?
Two Birds is set and filmed in Western Australia, particularly around Perth and Kalgoorlie.
Kalgoorlie is known for its mining history, expansive landscapes and remote setting. These surroundings provide a distinctive backdrop for a crime thriller about a community where personal relationships and local power structures can influence an investigation.
The fictional town of Dugdale draws on this atmosphere. Instead of placing the story in a large city with familiar urban police settings, the series uses a more isolated environment to increase the sense that secrets are difficult to escape.
The production is also notable for being the first to film at the newly established Perth Film Studios, according to ITV’s commissioning announcement.
Filming in Western Australia supports the series’ setting while bringing an international production to the region. Screenwest, the state’s screen development agency, has supported the project through the Western Australian Government’s Production Attraction Incentive.
When Will Sheridan Smith’s New Drama Be Released?
As of 15 October 2026, ITV has announced Two Birds and released first-look images, but an official premiere date has not been confirmed in the announcements available.
The confirmed UK broadcast platforms are ITV and STV, with streaming availability planned on ITVX and STV Player. Stan is the Australian co-production partner.
Viewers should distinguish between a series announcement, the release of promotional images and confirmation of a broadcast date. First-look photographs indicate that a production is being promoted, but they do not establish when its first episode will air.
For the most reliable updates, check ITV’s official press centre and the programme listings on ITVX closer to the expected broadcast period. Australian viewers can also follow announcements from Stan.
Until a date is officially published, it is better not to rely on unconfirmed online predictions about the premiere.
Why Two Birds Could Appeal to Crime Drama Fans
The appeal of Two Birds lies in its combination of an investigative mystery and a deeply personal story.
A detective with personal stakes: Izzie is not separated from the crime she investigates by a comfortable professional distance. Her own secret puts her in a vulnerable position, creating a conflict between her duties and her desire to protect herself.
A setting with its own character: Western Australia’s remote mining communities offer a different atmosphere from the familiar streets of British crime dramas. Isolation and local loyalties help shape the story’s tension.
A strong central cast: Smith’s emotional range, Peacocke’s experience in Australian television and Weaver’s reputation for powerful performances give the series a compelling group of central characters.
A mystery built around conflicting loyalties: Izzie and Mrs Baxter both have reasons to protect their families. Their different methods and priorities create the potential for a layered conflict rather than a simple battle between good and evil.
These elements suggest that Two Birds will appeal to viewers who enjoy crime stories in which the investigation is only one part of a larger emotional and moral struggle.
Other Recent Sheridan Smith Dramas
Anyone looking forward to Two Birds may also be interested in Smith’s recent television work.
The Cage
The Cage is a five-part BBC crime thriller starring Smith as Leanne, a casino cashier in Liverpool. The story follows Leanne as financial pressure pushes her towards stealing money from her workplace. Her situation becomes more complicated when she discovers that her boss, Matty, played by Michael Socha, has also been taking money.
The series premiered on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in April 2026. Its story of financial desperation and increasingly risky decisions shares some broad themes with Two Birds, although the two dramas have different characters and settings.
I Fought the Law
In ITV’s I Fought the Law, Smith portrays Ann Ming, the real-life mother who campaigned for a change to the law after the murder of her daughter, Julie.
The four-part drama follows Ming’s long fight for justice and her efforts to challenge the legal principle of double jeopardy after the man accused of killing her daughter was acquitted at his first trial.
The series aired in 2025 and draws on a real campaign rather than a fictional murder mystery. It is a useful example of Smith’s work in emotionally demanding drama, particularly stories involving family, grief and the pursuit of justice.
Together, these productions demonstrate the range of Smith’s recent television roles, from crime stories rooted in everyday financial pressures to real-life legal battles and a new Australian-set thriller.
What Makes Two Birds Different From a Typical Police Drama?
A conventional police procedural often centres on the steps investigators take to solve a crime. Two Birds adds another layer by making its lead detective’s private conduct part of the wider suspense.
Izzie must understand what happened to the murder victim while keeping her own actions hidden. This creates a situation in which solving the case may not necessarily protect her. The truth could help the investigation while also exposing her to consequences she fears.
Mrs Baxter provides a contrasting source of pressure. She is motivated by loyalty to her family and a determination to uncover the truth, but her interests may not align with those of the police.
The Australian setting also gives the drama a distinct identity. Its remote mining-town atmosphere separates it from many British crime series and provides a backdrop where family ties and local influence can become central to the investigation.
The result is a premise that combines mystery, personal conflict and family drama. How effectively these elements come together will ultimately depend on the writing, performances and pace of the finished series.
Final Thoughts on Sheridan Smith’s New Drama
The Sheridan Smith new drama, Two Birds, is shaping up as an intriguing addition to ITV’s crime thriller lineup. With Smith playing a recently widowed police constable, the series explores what happens when the desire for a fresh start collides with a murder investigation and a secret that cannot easily remain hidden.
The confirmed cast, six-episode format and Western Australian setting give the project a clear identity. Its combination of family tension, criminal power and personal responsibility also offers more than a straightforward whodunit.
Although an official UK premiere date has yet to be confirmed as of October 2026, viewers can follow ITV, STV and their streaming platforms for scheduling news. For fans of Sheridan Smith’s previous dramatic performances, Two Birds is a production worth keeping on the radar.
