The Syndicate

7.5
20121h

A drama exploring how winning the lottery transforms the lives of ordinary people.

Available For Free On

Logo for Hoopla

Seasons

5 Episodes • Premiered 2012

The first series follows five workers at a cut-price supermarket in Leeds whose lives are turned upside down after they jointly win the lottery, going from facing redundancy and battling the present economic downturn to having more money than they ever dreamt of.

Still image for The Syndicate season 1 episode 1: Stuart

1. Stuart

6.0

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.

Still image for The Syndicate season 1 episode 2: Denise

2. Denise

2.7

Denise is left devastated when husband Dave announces he is leaving her.

Still image for The Syndicate season 1 episode 3: Bob

3. Bob

6.0

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.

Still image for The Syndicate season 1 episode 4: Leanne

4. Leanne

6.0

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.

Still image for The Syndicate season 1 episode 5: Jamie

5. Jamie

6.0

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.

Cast

Photo of Katherine Rose Morley

Katherine Rose Morley

Keeley Sanderson

Photo of Taj Atwal

Taj Atwal

Roxy Varma

Photo of Kieran Urquhart

Kieran Urquhart

Jake Thackery

Photo of Kym Marsh

Kym Marsh

Donna Sanderson

Photo of Mark Benton

Mark Benton

Graham Woods

Photo of Emily Head

Emily Head

Colette Andrews

Photo of Neil Morrissey

Neil Morrissey

Frank Stevenson

Photo of Gaynor Faye

Gaynor Faye

Cheryl Armitage

Photo of Katie McGlynn

Katie McGlynn

Georgina Clarke

Photo of Lorraine Bruce

Lorraine Bruce

Denise Simpson

More Like This

Reviews

N

Peter McGinn

8/10

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..

You've reached the end.