Much Buzzed About 'Mr. Bates vs The Post Office' Premieres on Masterpiece PBS

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 too. 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 and the Duke. One of their recent 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 has gone viral in its native England. PBS snapped up the rights and is airing the limited series. Here's everything we know about Mr. Bates vs The Post Office including a newly released trailer.

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.

When money started to seemingly disappear from its local branches, the government-owned UK Post Office wrongly blamed its own managers for the apparent loss. Hundreds were harassed, accused of theft and fraud, 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. This is the story of decent, ordinary, and real-life people who were relentlessly pursued, coerced, and controlled by a powerful corporation, and their seemingly unsurmountable battle to right so many horrific wrongs.

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)

Julie Hesmondhalgh (Suzanne)

Alex Jennings (James Arbuthnot)

Ian Hart (Bob Rutherford)

Monica Dolan (Jo Hamilton)

Lia Williams (Paula Vennells)

Will Mellor (Lee Castleton)

Clare Calbraith (Gina Griffiths)

Shaun Dooley (Michael Rudkin)

Lesley Nicol (Pam Stubbs)

Katherine Kelly (Angela van den Bogerd)

How can I watch Mr. Bates vs The Post Office?

Mr. Bates vs The Post Office will air on PBS in the US and can be streamed with subscription to PBS Passport, Masterpiece on Amazon Prime, or other sites where you can purchase season or individual episodes like iTunes or Vudu.

When does Mr. Bates vs The Post Office premiere in the US?

Mr. Bates vs The Post Office premiered Sunday, April 7 at 9 p.m. ET on Masterpiece PBS.

Is there a preview for Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office?

Yes! Check out this trailer for Mr. Bates vs. The Post Office that was recently dropped at the Winter TCA session for PBS.

What is Mr. Bates vs The Post Office

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.