The Syndicate

Money, Money, Money
Be careful what you wish for

For most people, winning the lottery sounds like a dream come true. But as every episode of The Syndicate has taught us, striking it rich comes at a price. 

Kay Mellor’s BBC drama began back in 2012, with each series centering on a different fictional Lotto-winning syndicate, from supermarket workers and hospital employees to the staff of a stately home. All-star casts have included Timothy Spall, Alison Steadman, Lenny Henry and Anthony Andrews. The character of Denise Simpson (played by Lorraine Bruce) has appeared in all four seasons, first as a lucky winner herself and then as a smiley “Winners Adviser” in each subsequent series. 

The 2021 Syndicate - Double or Nothing, now streaming on BritBox, stars Neil Morrissey and involves a crew of skint doggy daycare staff. When someone else does a runner with their prize jackpot, will the cash-strapped pooch-pamperers ever get their hands on the missing £27 million that’s rightfully theirs?

Photo credit: BritBox used with permission

A frantic chase takes the gang from Leeds to Monaco, and the plot is pretty much light-hearted, easy viewing, albeit with some dark shadows as each character’s secret past is revealed.
Will the mega million fortune they seek bring them happiness in the end?
Life, or even BBC drama, is rarely as simple as that. 


Contrary to ABBA’s famous lyrics, money money money isn’t always funny, and as The Syndicate teaches us, big bucks are not easily won. 
But despite this cautionary tale, most of us still wouldn’t turn our noses up at a few million quid. 
We can but dream. 


The Syndicate is streaming on BritBox now.

Breaking news:  July 7 - July 12, 2021, BritBox is offering one year subscriptions at only $39.99 (regularly $69.99) in the U.S. 
​