Mr Bates vs The Post Office - the real story behind the drama with Patrick Spence
Jan 20, 2025
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In this conversation, Patrick Spence, the producer behind the groundbreaking drama 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office,' shares the harrowing details of the largest miscarriage of justice in British history. He reveals how the show was created to spotlight the wrongful prosecutions caused by a flawed IT system. Spence discusses the significant cover-up by the Post Office, the emotional toll on affected individuals, and the lack of compensation they still face. He also touches on the global influence of the story and its impact on raising public awareness.
The podcast reveals how the drama 'Mr Bates vs The Post Office' powerfully narrates the greatest miscarriage of justice in British history, emphasizing the need for amplifying unheard voices in society.
Patrick Spence discusses the show's cultural impact and the ongoing struggle for compensation faced by the unjustly accused sub-postmasters, highlighting the systemic failures of accountability in the justice system.
Deep dives
The Story Behind Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office
The series portrays the greatest miscarriage of justice in British legal history involving the Post Office's criminalization of hundreds of its staff based on a faulty computer system. The wrongful accusations of theft and false accounting ruined lives, sent many to prison, and drove some to suicide, highlighting the depth of the injustice. Central to this story is Alan Bates, who rallied hundreds of those wronged sub-postmasters in a successful legal battle against the Post Office, ultimately leading to the overturning of their convictions. This narrative powerfully illustrates how crucial it is for unheard voices to be amplified in society.
Creating a Compelling Drama
The producer, Patrick Spence, discussed how the drive to tell this story stemmed from a shared shame regarding the lack of awareness about the Post Office scandal. The creative team, inspired by earlier reporting, felt compelled to bring the real experiences of the victims to life through drama, arguing that fiction could convey the emotional impact better than documentaries. The production aimed to capture the essence of the individuals’ suffering, providing audiences with a visceral connection to the flawed justice system. By prioritizing accuracy, they ensured that the dramatic retelling held true to the authentic experiences of those involved.
Audience Reception and Cultural Impact
Mr. Bates vs. the Post Office unexpectedly became a cultural phenomenon, drawing an audience of approximately 15 million viewers, making it the most-watched new drama in the UK for 25 years. This reception was partly attributable to the societal anger already brewing in the UK due to various political issues, creating an emotional resonance with the story of injustice. Viewers connected with the real-life implications of the flawed judicial system, leading to a widespread call for accountability and change. The show's success demonstrated a collective desire for truth and recognition of the victims' struggles.
Ongoing Struggles for Justice
Despite the widespread acknowledgment of the injustice, many affected individuals are still awaiting financial redress and accountability from the Post Office. The government has been slow to respond, offering significantly less than what is deemed fair compensation for the losses suffered by the sub-postmasters. Alan Bates and other victims continue to advocate for full restitution and legal accountability to ensure that those responsible for the wrongful prosecutions are held liable. This ongoing struggle emphasizes the importance of not only recognizing injustices but actively seeking to rectify them in a timely and meaningful way.
Mr Bates vs The Post Office is a the most watched drama on ITV of all time. It's the extraordinary story of the greatest miscarriage of justice in British legal history, where hundreds of innocent sub-postmasters and postmistresses were wrongly accused of theft, fraud and false accounting due to a defective IT system. I speak to the producer of the show, Patrick Spence, to get a behind the scenes look at the drama, how it was discovered, how it was made and why the country rallied around Mr Bates.
Timestamps 00:00 - Intro 01:09 - The story of Mr Bates 05:33 - Having the film commissioned by ITV 08:59 - How true was the drama 12:04 - How big was the cover up at the Post Office 14:12 - How did this scandal happen 17:21 - Why some people pleaded guilty 19:36 - How has the show impacted real people 22:08 - Why no one has received compensation yet 24:46 - What awards has the show won 26:24 - The reaction from Fujitsu and the Post Office 31:53 - How has the drama translated globally?
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