The recent ITV drama “Mr Bates vs the Post Office” has shed light on the devastating impact of the Post Office scandal on innocent sub-postmasters. Actor Will Mellor, who played a leading role in the drama, has been deeply affected by the stories he encountered while filming.
In a new BBC documentary titled “Surviving the Post Office,” Will revisits the stories of individuals like Stephanie Gibson, who was wrongly accused of stealing money from the Post Office. Stephanie’s life was turned upside down after the false accusations, leading to her becoming a recluse out of fear for her safety.
Another heartbreaking story featured in the documentary is that of siblings Thomas and Katie Watson, whose mother, sub-postmaster Fiona Watson, was falsely accused of theft. The family was torn apart by the scandal, with Fiona passing away before her innocence could be proven.
Despite the tragic tales, Will Mellor believes that the groundswell of public support for the victims has the power to be transformative. He is proud to have been a part of shedding light on the injustice and hopes that the documentary will bring hope to those who have suffered.
“Surviving the Post Office” is now available to watch on iPlayer and will air on BBC One. An accompanying podcast, “The Post Office Scandal,” will also be released on BBC Sounds. The documentary aims to raise awareness about the Post Office scandal and advocate for redress for the victims and their families.
