New series of The Syndicate from Leeds writer Kay Mellor to return to BBC One

In true Mellor-drama style this ‘cat-and-mouse’ thriller is peppered with the comedy, pathos and high-drama audiences have come to expect from The Syndicate.

When the owners of Woodvale Kennels announce they are selling the business to a larger company, the staff are devastated to realise they may well be out of a job.

As the team’s future is thrown into question the weekly lottery looks like their only lifeline. So when the friends check the ticket and the machine goes off they are ecstatic! But is

everything as it seems and will our syndicate get what’s rightfully theirs?

Set between Leeds and Las Vegas, viewers will watch kennel workers spend every last penny they own to see justice done. Filming is due to start in the spring.

Kay Mellor said: "I’m thrilled to be working with the BBC again. As ever, it’s a brand-new Syndicate and has a fresh and unique transatlantic story. I couldn’t resist setting this series in a dog kennels either. I have a Shih-tzu myself and love animals - they say you should never work with kids or animals but I’m a sucker for a challenge and can’t wait to get started."

Piers Wenger, Controller of BBC Drama, says: “We are so happy to have The Syndicate coming back for a fourth series on BBC One. Kay’s gripping, intriguing and heart-warming

scripts will take viewers on a rollercoaster of emotions as a brand new set of characters from a Leeds dog kennels win the lottery and set their sights on Vegas.”

Following the UK premiere, the series will premiere exclusively as a BritBox Original in the US and Canada.

Soumya Sriraman, president and founder for BritBox added: “How do you improve one of Kay’s compelling cat-and-mouse stories? Simple, add dogs. I can’t wait for the BritBox community to experience this new world of Kay’s, grappling with contemporary concerns through the lens of her taut, thrilling plots."