What's the real story behind Mr Bates vs The Post Office?

Here's everything you need to know about the real story behind Mr Bates vs The Post Office, including how to watch the incredible new series about a real miscarriage of justice in British history.

On Monday, January 1st, 2024, ITV released a brand new dramatisation about a real-life scandal titled, Mr Bates vs. The Post Office. Viewers were horrified to learn about the mistreatment and injustices faced by the innocent subpostmasters in the British Post Office scandal and the show has caused real legislation change in the UK. Here's what you need to know about the series that everyone is talking about... 

How many episodes are there of Mr Bates vs. The Post Office and where to watch?

In total, there are just four episodes of Mr Bates vs The Post Office. The series was released on consecutive nights from January 1st to January 4th on ITV. The series is now available to watch online on ITVX. 

So long as you are based in the UK, all you need to do is create an account from ITVX and you'll be able to stream the entire series.

ITVX also released a documentary titled, Mr Bates vs the Post Office: The Real Story, which includes interviews with real-life victims who told their own stories. The additional show includes clips from the dramatisation along with snippets from real-life events that played out in the news.

What happened to Mr Bates vs. The Post Office in real life?

In real life, The British Post Office Scandal dragged on for several years as people blamed said the Post Office was guilty of a 'corporate cover-up.' 

From 1999 to 2015 more than 2,600 individuals were affected by the Horizon scandal. Before the release of the show, 93 convictions have been overturned, with people being exonerated of their false crimes. Additionally, £21 million has been paid in compensation to those who suffered because of the Horizon machines.

As recently as September 2023, it was revealed that another form of compensation was given to the victims. "The UK Government has announced that every Postmaster who was wrongfully convicted and has had their conviction overturned as it was reliant on Horizon evidence will be offered £600,000 in compensation," it was announced. 

Following the public outcry after the show's release, Paula Vennells has handed back her CBE. Prime Minister Rishi Sunak also announced a new legislation that meant 736 convicted subpostmasters would be "swiftly exonerated and compensated."

Former Labour MP John Mann told The Independent,"It should not have taken an ITV drama for this compensation to be paid and these convictions to be quashed. But we also need to bear in mind there are a significant number of subpostmasters who paid the money and kept silent because they were worried about their reputation in the communities of which they were so key. They have not featured at all, they should get their money back."