''The Syndicate'' is a

British television Television broadcasts in the United Kingdom began in 1932, however, regular broadcasts would only begin four years later. Television began as a public service which was free of advertising, which followed the first demonstration of a transm ...

drama series. It was written by

Kay Mellor Kay Mellor (née Daniel; 11 May 1951 – 15 May 2022) was an English actress, scriptwriter, producer and director. She was known for creating television series such as '' Band of Gold'' (ITV, 1995–97), '' Fat Friends'' (ITV, 2000–05), and ...

and is broadcast on

BBC One BBC One is a British free-to-air public broadcast television channel owned and operated by the BBC. It is the corporation's oldest and flagship channel, and is known for broadcasting mainstream programming, which includes BBC News television b ...

. It sees five members of a betting syndicate win the

lottery A lottery (or lotto) is a form of gambling that involves the drawing of numbers at random for a prize. Some governments outlaw lotteries, while others endorse it to the extent of organizing a national or state lottery. It is common to find som ...

. Each series follows a different syndicate. The first series is set in a

Leeds Leeds is a city in West Yorkshire, England. It is the largest settlement in Yorkshire and the administrative centre of the City of Leeds Metropolitan Borough, which is the second most populous district in the United Kingdom. It is built aro ...

supermarket; the second, a public hospital in

Bradford Bradford is a city status in the United Kingdom, city in West Yorkshire, England. It became a municipal borough in 1847, received a city charter in 1897 and, since the Local Government Act 1972, 1974 reform, the city status in the United Kingdo ...

; the third, a crumbling stately home near

Scarborough Scarborough or Scarboro may refer to: People * Scarborough (surname) * Earl of Scarbrough Places Australia * Scarborough, Western Australia, suburb of Perth * Scarborough, New South Wales, suburb of Wollongong * Scarborough, Queensland, sub ...

; and the fourth is set between a dog kennel in

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ) is an area of Northern England which was History of Yorkshire, historically a county. Despite no longer being used for administration, Yorkshire retains a strong regional identity. The county was named after its county town, the ...

and

Monaco Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is a Sovereign state, sovereign city-state and European microstates, microstate on the French Riviera a few kilometres west of the Regions of Italy, Italian region of Liguria, in Western Europe, ...

. The theme tune for the first two series of the show is " All or Nothing", by the

Small Faces Small Faces were an English Rock music, rock band from London, founded in 1965. The group originally consisted of Steve Marriott, Ronnie Lane, Kenney Jones and Jimmy Winston, with Ian McLagan replacing Winston as the band's keyboardist in 1966 ...

. For the third series, a cover version of the same song performed by Scars on 45 was used. The score is composed by guitarist Hal Lindes from

Dire Straits Dire Straits were a British rock band formed in London in 1977 by Mark Knopfler (lead vocals, lead guitar), David Knopfler (rhythm guitar, backing vocals), John Illsley (bass guitar, backing vocals) and Pick Withers (drums, percussion). Th ...

. The theme tune for Season four of the show is a cover of "The Gambler" performed by David Nowakowski featuring Rising Fever. Series 4 premiered on BBC One on 30 March 2021. The series was remade in America as ''Lucky 7'' for

ABC ABC are the first three letters of the Latin script. ABC or abc may also refer to: Arts, entertainment and media Broadcasting * Aliw Broadcasting Corporation, Philippine broadcast company * American Broadcasting Company, a commercial American ...

and ran for only one series.

Cast

Lorraine Bruce Lorraine Bruce is a British television, film and stage actress, best known for her portrayal of Denise Simpson in all four series of the Kay Mellor BBC One series ''The Syndicate'' In 2013, she was cast in '' Lucky 7'', the U.S. version of ''The ...

as Denise Simpson is the only cast member to appear in every series. In series 1 she won the lottery; her character was reprised as the Lottery Winners Adviser in all subsequent series. Lorraine was also invited to play Denise in the USA version of the show. In "Lucky 7" Denise Simpson becomes Denise Dibinksy, a native of Queens, New York.

Series 1

Timothy Spall Timothy Leonard Spall ( ; born 27 February 1957) is an English actor. He gained recognition for his character actor roles on stage and screen. In 2000, he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II. S ...

as Bob Davies *

as Denise Simpson * Matthew Lewis as Jamie Bradley *

Joanna Page Joanna Louise Page is a Welsh actress and presenter, known for portraying List of Gavin & Stacey characters, Stacey Shipman in the BAFTA-winning television series ''Gavin & Stacey''. She played Dora Spenlow in the David Copperfield (1999 film), ...

as Leanne Powell *

Matthew McNulty Michael Anthony McNulty (born 14 December 1982), known professionally as Matthew McNulty, is a German-born British actor. His credits include '' See No Evil: The Moors Murders'' (2006), ''Looking for Eric'' (2009), '' The Musketeers'' (2016), '' ...

as Stuart Bradley *

Amy Beth Hayes Amy Beth Hayes (born 8 October 1982) is a British actress. She is best known for her roles as Kitty in ''Mr Selfridge''; Lucy in " The Entire History of You", an episode of ''Black Mirror''; Ruth in '' Misfits''; Clem in '' Shameless''; Amy in ' ...

as Amy Cartwright *John Paul Hurley as DCI Newell *Katherine Dow Blyton as Annie Davies *

Kai Owen Kai Owen (born 4 September 1975) is a Welsh actor of stage and screen, known to Welsh audiences for his numerous roles on Welsh language television and to worldwide audiences for his portrayal of Rhys Williams in ''Torchwood'' and Pete Bucha ...

as Gareth Powell *

Anthony Lewis Joseph Anthony Lewis (March 27, 1927 – March 25, 2013) was an American public intellectual and journalist. He was a two-time winner of the Pulitzer Prize and was a columnist for ''The New York Times''. He is credited with creating the field o ...

as Peter Davies *

Clare Higgins Clare Frances Elizabeth Higgins (born 10 November 1955) is an English actress. She is a three-time winner of the Olivier Award for Best Actress; for '' Sweet Bird of Youth'' (1995), ''Vincent in Brixton'' (2003), and ''Hecuba'' (2005). She mad ...

as Joyce Bradley *Lily Pickering as Stacey Powell

Series 2

Siobhan Finneran Siobhan Margaret Finneran (born 27 April 1966) is an English actress. She made her screen debut in the independant film '' Rita, Sue and Bob Too'' (1986) and subsequently worked consistently in television drama including roles in ''Coronation St ...

as Mandy Atkinson *

Alison Steadman Alison Steadman (born 26 August 1946) is an English actress. She received the 1977 Evening Standard Theatre Award for Best Actress for ''Abigail's Party'', the 1991 National Society of Film Critics Award for Best Actress for the Mike Leigh film ...

as Rose Wilson *

Mark Addy Mark Ian Addy is an English actor best known for his roles as DC Gary Boyle in the sitcom '' The Thin Blue Line'' (1995–96), Andy Richmond in '' Trollied'' (2011–13), King Robert Baratheon in the first season of ''Game of Thrones'' (2011) ...

as Alan Walters *

Natalie Gavin Natalie Gavin (born 27 July 1988) is an English actress. On television, she is known for her roles in the BBC dramas '' Prisoners' Wives'' (2012) and '' The Syndicate'' (2013), and the ITV drama ''Jericho'' (2016). Early life and education ...

as Becky Atkinson *

Jimi Mistry James Patrick Mistry (born 20 March 1973) is a retired British actor. He is known for appearing in numerous films such as '' East Is East'' (1999), '' The Guru'' (2002), '' Touch of Pink'' (2004), ''Ella Enchanted'' (2004), '' The Truth About L ...

as Tom Bedford *

Steven Waddington Steven Waddington (born 30 December 1967) is an English film and television actor. He is best known for his starring role as the title role of Derek Jarman's '' Edward II'' and supporting role in Michael Mann's ''The Last of the Mohicans''. E ...

as Steve Atkinson *Roma Christensen as Reah Atkinson *

Sally Rogers Sally Rogers (born 1964) is an English actress, best known for her role as Detective Constable/Sgt. Jo Masters in ITV's ''The Bill''. Rogers trained as a children's nanny, before taking up acting at the age of 20. She studied at Webber Dou ...

as Helen Dolan *

Karl Davies Karl Davies (born 6 August 1982) is an English actor who portrayed Lyle Anderson in the TV series '' Kingdom''. Previously, he had portrayed Robert Sugden in the ITV soap opera ''Emmerdale''. Career Davies took over the role of Robert Sugd ...

as Luke Summers

Series 3

Elizabeth Berrington Elizabeth Berrington (born 3 August 1970) is an English actress and graduate of the Webber Douglas Academy of Dramatic Art; she is best known for her roles as Ruby Fry in '' Waterloo Road'', Paula Kosh in '' Stella'', Mel Debrou in '' Moving Wa ...

as Dawn Stevenson *

Melanie Hill Melanie Jane Hill is a British actress, known for playing Hazel Redfern in ''Auf Wiedersehen, Pet'' (1985–1986), Aveline in ''Bread'' (1989–1991), Rita Dolan in Kay Mellor drama '' Playing the Field'' (1998–2002), Maggie Budgen in the BB ...

as Julie Travers *

Lenny Henry Sir Lenworth George Henry (born 29 August 1958) is a British Jamaicans, British-Jamaican comedian, actor and writer. He gained success as a Stand-up comedy, stand-up comedian and impressionist in the late 1970s and early 1980s, culminating in ' ...

as Godfrey Watson *

Cara Theobold Cara Louise Theobold (born 8 January 1990) is an English actress. She made her debut as Ivy Stuart in the ITV period drama ''Downton Abbey'' (2012–2013). She has since starred in the BBC series '' The Syndicate'' and ''Together'' (both 2015), ...

as Sarah Travers *

Richard Rankin Richard Rankin (born Richard Harris on 4 January 1983) is a Scottish actor. He is best known for the Scottish sketch show '' Burnistoun'', for playing Roger Wakefield MacKenzie in the Starz drama '' Outlander'' and for playing the lead role in ...

as Sean McGary/McAdams *

Anthony Andrews Anthony Colin Gerald Andrews (born 12 January 1948) is an English actor. He played Lord Sebastian Flyte in the ITV miniseries ''Brideshead Revisited'' (1981), for which he won Golden Globe and BAFTA television awards, and was nominated for ...

as Lord Hazelwood *

Alice Krige Alice Maud Krige (; born June 28, 1954) is a South African actress and producer. Her big break came in 1981, when she starred as the Gilbert and Sullivan singer Sybil Gordon in the British historical film ''Chariots of Fire'', and as Eva Gall ...

as Lady Hazelwood *

Sam Phillips Samuel Cornelius Phillips (January 5, 1923 – July 30, 2003) was an American disc jockey, songwriter and record producer. He was the founder of Sun Records and Sun Studio in Memphis, Tennessee, where he produced recordings by Elvis Presley, R ...

as Spencer Cavendish *

Daisy Head Daisy Head (born 17 March 1991) is an English actress. She played Grace in the American drama series '' Guilt'', Amy Stevenson in BBC One's drama '' The Syndicate'', Kate Bottomley in the third season of Hulu series '' Harlots'', Genya Safin i ...

as Amy Stevenson *

Kieran O'Brien Kieran O'Brien (born 1973) is an English actor. Early life and education Born in Oldham, Lancashire, O'Brien grew up in nearby Royton, and was educated at the Bishop Henshaw Roman Catholic Memorial High School in Rochdale. Career O'Brien began ...

as Andy Stevenson *

Polly Walker Polly Alexandra Walker (born 19 May 1966) is an English actress. She has starred in the films '' Enchanted April'' (1991), ''Patriot Games'' (1992), '' Sliver'' (1993), '' Restoration'' (1995), '' The Gambler'' (1997), and '' Savage Messiah'' (2 ...

as DI Lynn Baker *Rob Kendrick as Nick Harrison * Elaine C. Smith as Valerie Hardcastle * Poppy Lee Friar as Mary Campbell

Series 4

* Katherine Rose Morley as Keeley Sanderson * Taj Atwal as Roxy Varma * Liberty Hobbs as Gemma Hepworth * Kieran Urquhart as Jake Thackery *

Kym Marsh Kimberley Gail Marsh (previously Ryder, Lomas and Ratcliff; born 13 June 1976) is an English actress, television presenter and singer. In 2001, she won a place in the band Hear'Say as a result of appearing on the reality television series ''Pop ...

as Donna Sanderson *

Ruben Reuter Ruben Reuter (born 28 June 2000) is an English actor and journalist, best known for his role as Finn McLaine in ''The Dumping Ground''. Early and personal life Reuter was born in Huddersfield to parents Kim Reuter and Russ Elias. He has Down ...

as Shane Sanderson *

Mark Benton Mark Benton (born 16 November 1965) is an English actor and television presenter known for his roles as Eddie in '' Early Doors'', Howard in '' Northern Lights'', Martin Pond in '' Barbara'' and the eponymous Frank Hathaway in '' Shakespeare & H ...

as Graham Woods *

Emily Head Emily Head (born 15 December 1988) is an English actress. Her breakout role was as Carli D'Amato in E4's sitcom ''The Inbetweeners'' and she later played Rebecca White in ITV soap opera ''Emmerdale'' and Colette Andrews in BBC drama, '' The ...

as Colette Andrews *

Neil Morrissey Neil Anthony Morrissey (born 4 July 1962) is an English actor, businessman, narrator, and television presenter. He is perhaps best known for his roles as Rocky in ''Boon (TV series), Boon'', and Tony in ''Men Behaving Badly''. Other notable acti ...

as Frank Stevenson *

Gaynor Faye Gaynor Kay Mellor (born 26 August 1971), known professionally as Gaynor Faye, is an English actress and writer. She played Judy Mallett in television soap opera ''Coronation Street'' from 1995 until 1999 and Megan Macey in ''Emmerdale'' fro ...

as Cheryl Armitage * Rita May as Nanna *

Joe Sugg Joseph Graham Sugg (born 8 September 1991) is an English YouTuber. In 2012, he began posting videos on the YouTube channel ThatcherJoe, currently at 7.27 million subscribers and 1.33 billion overall channel views. In 2018, he was a finalist on t ...

as Sam *

Katie McGlynn Katie Louise McGlynn (born 16 July 1993) is an English actress. She is known for her roles as Jodie "Scout" Allen in '' Waterloo Road'' (2011–2013), Sinead Tinker in ''Coronation Street'' (2013–2020), and Becky Quentin in ''Hollyoaks'' (20 ...

as Georgina Clarke

Episodes

Series overview

Series 1 (2012)

In the first series the syndicate consists of workmates in a small local supermarket located in

, Yorkshire. It was written by Kay Mellor. Series 1 began on

on 27 March 2012 and consisted of 5 episodes.

Series 2 (2013)

The second series aired in 2013 on BBC One. It revolves around another syndicate in a similar situation. It was written by Kay Mellor. The series looks at a syndicate involving workers at a public hospital in

, Yorkshire. Series 2 began on BBC One on 19 March 2013 and consisted of 6 episodes.

Series 3 (2015)

BBC One renewed ''The Syndicate'' for a third series of six episodes, and the first episode was broadcast on 2 June 2015. This series was filmed in Yorkshire in 2014. The

BBC The British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) is a British public service broadcaster headquartered at Broadcasting House in London, England. Originally established in 1922 as the British Broadcasting Company, it evolved into its current sta ...

announced the details of the third series of the programme on 21 October 2014. Actor/comedian

stars in the series, which chronicles the lottery win of a staff syndicate at a crumbling stately home.

Lynda Bellingham Lynda Bellingham ( ; 31 May 194819 October 2014) was an English actress, broadcaster and author. She acted in television series such as ''All Creatures Great and Small (1978 TV series), All Creatures Great and Small'', ''Doctor Who'', ''Second Tho ...

was due to play the role of a solicitor, in a role written especially for her by Kay Mellor, but she died shortly before filming commenced.

Series 4 (2021)

The fourth series began airing on 30 March on BBC One.

American adaptation

On 1 February 2013, it was announced that

had ordered a

pilot An aircraft pilot or aviator is a person who controls the flight of an aircraft by operating its Aircraft flight control system, directional flight controls. Some other aircrew, aircrew members, such as navigators or flight engineers, are al ...

for a US remake. It was renamed '' Lucky 7'' and written by

David Zabel David Breitel Zabel is an American television producer and writer. He has worked extensively on '' ER'', becoming an executive producer and the series' showrunner. He has won a Humanitas Prize for his writing for ''ER''. He was also the showrunne ...

and Jason Richman. ''Lucky 7'' was cancelled on 4 October 2013 after only two episodes were broadcast, due to extremely low ratings.

References

External links

* * * {{DEFAULTSORT:Syndicate, The 2012 British television series debuts 2021 British television series endings 2010s British anthology television series 2020s British anthology television series 2010s British drama television series 2020s British drama television series BBC television dramas British English-language television shows Scarborough, North Yorkshire Television series about lotteries Television shows set in Leeds Television shows set in Bradford Television shows set in West Yorkshire Television shows set in North Yorkshire Television shows shot in Leeds Television shows shot in Bradford Television shows shot in Scarborough