While the U.S. dominates in television, many times we look to other countries for inspiration. Shows like The Office and Gracepoint were based on UK series The Office and Broadchurch, respectively. Even game and reality shows like Cash Cab and Love Island were based on their UK counterparts. But we Americans have also watched original British series with vigor. Shows like Killing Eve, Downton Abbey and I May Destroy You were almost instant hits in the U.S.
PBS has been known to bring great television from across the pond, including the aforementioned Downtown Abbey, but also period pieces like Sanditon and Miss Scarlet. One of their acquisitions, Mr. Bates vs The Post Office, tells the true story of a local postman who is blamed by his employer, the government-owned UK Post Office, for thousands of dollars missing from his branch only to uncover he isn’t the only one in the same predicament.
The series has generated tons of buzz and even went viral in its native England. It recently won the BAFTA TV Award for Best Limited Drama. PBS snapped up the rights last year and aired the limited series here in the US. Here’s everything we know about Mr. Bates vs The Post Office and how you can watch it now.
What is Mr. Bates vs The Post Office?
Mr. Bates vs The Post Office is the shockingly true David vs Goliath story following one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in British legal history.
ITV‘s post office drama that has led to an intense period of reckoning for multiple institutions and pushed the issue to the front pages of UK newspapers for weeks has found a U.S. home.
Starring BAFTA-winners Toby Jones and Monica Dolan, the four-part show dramatizes what is now deemed one of the greatest miscarriages of justice in UK legal history.
When money started to seemingly disappear from its local branches, the government-owned Post Office wrongly blamed their own managers for its apparent loss. For more than a decade, hundreds were accused of theft and fraud, and many were even sent to prison—leaving lives, marriages, and reputations in ruins. But the issue was actually caused by errors in the Post Office’s own computer system—something it denied for years..
The show has beaten Downton Abbey to become ITV’s biggest new drama launch in more than a decade and is averaging 13.1M viewers per episode—a rare feat for a British series to beat the 10M mark.
How many episodes are there of Mr. Bates vs The Post Office?
This limited series contains four episodes in total.
Will there be a second season of Mr. Bates vs The Post Office?
Unlikely. Mr. Bates vs The Post Office is a limited series.
Meet the cast of Mr. Bates vs The Post Office
Toby Jones (Alan Bates)
jones was nominated for a BAFTA for his role as Alan Bates in the series (Lennie James won for Mr. Loverman). He has voiced several popular film/tv characters including Dobby in the Harry Potter movies, the Owl in Disney’s live-action film Christopher Robin, and Aristides Silk in The Adventures of TinTin. His other credits include Sherlock opposite BenedictCumberbatch and Martin Freeman, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, and Doctor Who.
Monica Dolan (Jo Hamilton)
Dolan has an extensive theatre background but she has appeared in multiple film and television series over the years including Topsy-Turvy, Kick-Ass 2, Agatha Christie’s Poirot, and Black Mirror.
Ian Hart (Bob Rutherford)
Ian Hart is best recognized by US viewers as Professor Quirrel in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. His other credits include Backbeat, Michael Collins, and The Responder.
Will Mellor (Lee Castleton)
US audiences might recognize Mellor from his roles on Line of Duty, No Offence, or the movie Miss Conception. His other credits include Hollyoaks, Coronation Street, and Broadchurch.
Shaun Dooley (Michael Rudkin)
Dooley has appeared in shows like Doctor Who, The Witcher, and Broadchurch. The British-born Dooley has also appeared in Grantchester, Midsomer Murders, and The Great Christmas Bake Off.
Lesley Nicol (Pam Stubbs)
Downton Abbey fans will recognize Nicol from the series and films where she played Mrs. Patmore. She’ll reprise the role in the upcoming Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale. Her other credits include Doc Martin, Supernatural, and Shameless.
Katherine Kelly (Angela van den Bogerd)
The British-born Kelly has appeared in TV series such as Mr. Selfridge, Happy Valley, and Strike Back. Her other credits include Life on Mars, Coronation Street, and The Night Manager.
Ifan Huw Dafydd (Noel Thomas)
If Dafydd’s name looks misspelled, it is not. His name is pronounced “I-fen Who Daf-vyd (like David)” Dafydd’s resume is filled with mostly British series and films including Holby City, Casualty, and The Crown.
How can I watch Mr. Bates vs The Post Office?
Mr. Bates vs The Post Office aired on PBS in the US and can be streamed with asubscription to PBS Passport, Masterpiece on Amazon Prime, or other sites where you can purchase season or individual episodes like iTunes or Vudu.
When did Mr. Bates vs The Post Office premiere in the US?
Mr. Bates vs The Post Office premiered in the US on Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 9 p.m. ET on Masterpiece PBS.
How can I watch Mr. Bates vs the Post Office now?
You can check your local PBS listings to see if Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office will air again on your local PBS station. You can also stream it if you have a PBS passport on PBS.org; if you subscribe to Masterpiece PBS on Amazon Prime; or you can buy episode or the full season on Amazon Prime, iTunes, Apple TV+, and other similar streaming sites.
Is there a trailer for Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office?
Yes! Check out this trailer for Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office.
Check out images from Mr. Bates vs the Post Office
Take a look at some select images from Mr. Bates vs the Post Office in the gallery below.
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Courtesy of ITV Studios and MASTERPIECE.
Courtesy of ITV Studios and MASTERPIECE.
Courtesy of ITV Studios and MASTERPIECE.
Mr Bates vs The Post Office
Courtesy of ITV Studios and MASTERPIECE.
Courtesy of ITV Studios and MASTERPIECE.
Courtesy of ITV Studios and MASTERPIECE.
Courtesy of ITV Studios and MASTERPIECE.
