A ‘riveting‘ British drama that has been hailed for ‘uncovering corruption at the highest level’ has been added to a major streaming platform.
Starring the likes of Will Mellor, Toby Jones and Monica Dolan, Mr Bates vs The Post Office took the nation by storm following its release last year, and launched one of the biggest miscarriages of justice in UK history back into the spotlight.
Following the story of former sub postmaster Alan Bates, who lost his Post Office in north Wales after being accused of theft, he discovers how hundreds of others were affected by the scandal despite not doing anything wrong.
Dozens of innocent people were convicted of theft, lost their homes and went into debt and 236 went to prison. Four people also took their own lives.
The programme prompted public outrage and help put the Horizon scandal under the spotlight.
Now, however, the ‘absolutely brilliant’ series is available to watch on Disney Plus.
Writing on google reviews, Mrs Franczak said: ‘ITV’s superlative drama will touch the British people.
‘It has such resonance because it speaks to our times – it is about what is wrong with our society – the one where the villains in elite positions get away with their vile oppressive greed and unjustified power – people who are never brought to account even when there is a public Inquiry.
‘It could have been you or it could have been me- it was the little people who suffered -people who we know, ordinary folks who just wanted to run a post office and got caught up in a nightmare of bureaucratic oppression, monumental injustice, incredible incompetence, bullyin [and] lies.
‘Beautifully written. ITV should be very proud… Lets have the next chapter please and a film or five!’
Mick also described it as ‘brilliantly depicted but sickening to watch’.
‘How could they so horrendously blight the lives of those “little people” just to save “the brand”,’ he said.
‘I found the whole mini series riveting, bursting with human drama and have watched it again since its initial airing.
‘I think that it provided some real insight as to the low, brutal tactics that an organisation like the Post Office (which remarkably seems to have the power to be both poacher and gamekeeper) with almost bottomless financial rescources will employ in pursuit of their objectives, no matter the consequences for the innocent “little people”.
‘I for one fought back the tears more than once during the mini series and I defy any-one with as much as half a heart not to do the same.’
Paul S added: ‘Absolutely brilliant because it shows just how much we, as a population are controlled from above.
‘The sub posmasters of this country put everything into a one sided, misguided contract that is then abused by the Post Office to take down anyone they choose.
‘Mr Bates is our Erin Brockovitch. This is must see TV that continually raises questions and proves corruption at the highest level. My praise to the cast and the production team and my heartfelt sympathy for the real life individuals affected by Horizon.’
Writing on X @steve220459 also commented: ‘Rarely has a factual drama fired me up as much as Mr Bates versus The Post Office.
‘Ordinary decent working people whose lives have been utterly wrecked. This will surely place the matter at the centre of the public consciousness. Senior Post Office officials need investigating.’
Meanwhile, @guyrowlanduk wrote: ‘Congrats to Mr Bates vs The Post Office for their well deserved special award.
‘One of the most important British dramas ever made. “Over four consecutive nights, an audience that grew from 3.9 million to an eventual 15 million watched on in horror”.’
The addition of the ITV drama to Disney Plus comes as part of a ‘first-of-its-kind’ deal between the two streaming services who are joining forces to share a curated and regularly refreshed selection of hit shows and movies across both platforms at no extra cost.
This means that ITVX viewers will be introduced to a ‘rotating rail’ of Disney Plus content, titled ‘Taste of Disney+’, which started on July 16.
The selection over the coming months includes critically acclaimed and award-winning titles such as The Bear, Andor and Only Murders in the Building, as well as reality hits such as The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives and The Kardashians.
At the same time, Disney Plus customers in the UK will be able to stream some ITV content on the platform, under the banner ‘Taste of ITVX’, at no extra cost.
This includes multi-award-winning drama Mr Bates vs the Post Office, espionage thriller A Spy Among Friends, reality hit Love Island and popular crime dramas like Endeavour, Vera and Karen Pirie.
Mr Bates vs The Post Office is available to watch on Disney Plus and ITVX.
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