The Syndicate

When I saw the trailer, I assumed another reasonable comedy/drama.

I was pleasantly surprised, Wonderfully emersive characters who will be relatable to everyone, tell a heart warming story of rags to riches.

The first episode introduces the motley crew of shop workers who instanly feel like people you have grown to know and love. Each with their own story to tell it was a nice surprise after I had expected giddy comedy from an outlandish group of characters

Supprisingly moving at times, especially the second episode which has set up a brilliant potential series which thus far has some excellently believable characters wonderfully written, a good prospect and a really emotional yet feel good programme!

This used to be a great series but season 4 is deeply disappointing. The acting is mediocre at best and as for the predictable plot, Kay clearly thinks we are all brain dead idiots.

This season appears to be a pathetic attempt to give type cast daughter Gaynor Faye and a very desperate Neil Morrissey (who is probably just another mate of Kay's) some much needed work. This is most disapppinting Neil, as you can do far better than this utter drivel. As for Kym Marsh, you should have stuck with Coronation Street because your acting skills are non existent. At least you got to wear a few hair extensions.

I will not be wasting any more of my time watching further episodes. My 4 star rating is probably more than generous but unfortunately 3.5 star is not an option.

I've just finished watching the final episode of this excellent series. I have been impressed throughout with the acting and the brilliant scripts. Being from Leeds myself I was particularly impressed with the accents although a slight hint of Lancashire from a few of them but overall it was not like Coronation Street or Emmerdale which seem to have very strong Yorkshire or Lancashire accents in the wrong counties. The plot of the whole story was brilliant and believable of what may happen with people in that position. Timothy Spall was brilliant as usual but Mathew Lewis and Mathew McNulty played brilliantly brothers. Kay Mellor I don't think can do anything wrong and I feel a lot of pride in the fact she is a Leeds lass but I hope I'm not too biased because I think people up and down the country could relate to this story and it's characters.

This is a typical bit of light entertainment about groups of people who formed syndicates, and won the lottery. The series explore, and dramatize the characters, and how their lives changed after winning. There are the usual story lines with intrigue, personal secrets, struggle between good and evil, all the necessary elements for this type of show. Some of the acting is better than others but at other times it's just overdone. The portrayal of the "idiot savant" gardener in series 3 by Lenny Henry is a case in point. Just seemed to be a poor copy of Dustin Hoffman in Rainman. The actors do get the Midlands accents right and that helps introduce the feeling that winning the lottery does happen for the ordinary folk. If you just want a bit of light TV with a story that has a good dose of predictability, and "feel-goodness" in it, then the series will work for you. The concept does lend itself to repeat series, and so far there have been 3 seasons. Overall, it's not terrible but also not great TV!

As many have said Kay Mellor needs to up her game. 15 years ago this kind of stuff was the only kind of thing that you could get and look forward to. It's harmless and easy watching if you just want to turn your brain off and laugh at how bad it actually is.

It's ridiculous and portrays northerners as a bunch of imbeciles. Terrible writing and bad acting but I have to say I am enjoying it for what it is. Just don't expect much. Enjoy.