The SyndicateA drama exploring how winning the lottery transforms the lives of ordinary people.
CreatorKay Mellor
Stuart
Mar 27, 2012
A supermarket in Leeds is threatened with closure, sending its five staff - Bob, Stuart, Denise, Leanne and Jamie - spiralling into an uncertain future. Assistant manager Stuart Bradley and his younger brother Jamie are forced to take matters into their own hands, with dramatic consequences. Just when it seems that things cannot get any worse, the unthinkable happens: 18 million pounds falls into their laps.
Denise
Apr 3, 2012
Denise is left devastated when husband Dave announces he is leaving her.
Bob
Apr 10, 2012
Bob has the results of his scans back and also discovers the truth about the robbery from Stuart. They discover that there is a treatment available for Bob in South Africa, which so far has had amazing results. However, Bob is skeptical about the treatment. He decides to throw a party at a hotel, where he proposes marriage to Annie. She accepts, but only on the condition that he goes to South Africa.
Leanne
Apr 17, 2012
Leanne's past catches up with her, and she is thrown into panic when Stacey goes missing. Feelings are riding high as Stuart tries to help, causing repercussions in his home life. Denise is starting to heal her wounds, helped by a budding romance. Jamie uses his winnings to enter the adult dancing business, while Bob flies to South Africa to bet on a chance at prolonging his life. Leanne thinks she may have pieced together who robbed the shop and confides her suspicions in Stuart.
Jamie
Apr 24, 2012
Jamie thinks he is untouchable now he has money, but the police are convinced he is involved in the robbery. Jamie tries to live his dream, but his old life refuses to stay in the past. When the local drug dealer, Boss, pays Jamie a visit, he is forced to go head-to-head with him with dramatic consequences. Leanne's court case in Wales is imminent, and Stuart is torn between his life with Amy and Leanne, who he is desperate to support. The lottery gets in touch with the syndicate to find out how their lives have changed. Meanwhile, Bob's surgery looms and he says his goodbyes to those he loves.
Peter McGinn
@narrator56
I should point out that this review is based merely on Series 1. I have watched a lot of British television, more so than U.S. programming for the past 10 years. I have had this series for a while - I had grabbed it because I have liked everything Timothy Spall is in, especially Mike Leigh films. But I just got around to watching this. It has a rather complex plot, or at least it seems that way when each episode is apt to rehash events a bit from a different character's perspective in order to fill in back story to advance the plot. Mostly it works. I have watched shows that Kay Mellor has written and/or directed, and the writing is usually sharp, as it is here. If you are not used to northern British accents, you may have a bit of trouble, but I am quite used to it. The chemistry between the characters isn't as strong as it could be, but there is enough there to see that their work and social relationships are realistic for the most part. There were a few places where I was pretty sure I knew what was about to happen, but unlike with most shows in this situation, what I expected often didn't happen. So I credit the writing for originality, This is by no means classic British television, but it was entertaining enough to make me want to watch the others seasons when I get the opportunity..
