ITV wins Bafta television special award for Mr Bates vs the Post Office

ITV has won the Bafta television special award for commissioning the acclaimed series Mr Bates vs the Post Office, with the channel being commended for spotlighting one of the worst miscarriages of justice in British history.

The drama, which has amassed 15 million viewers, influenced policy change and reopened the case to seek justice for the post office operators involved.

Within three weeks of the show being aired, the scandal was raised in parliament, with a bill fast-tracked to quash most of the convictions of post office operators who were wrongly prosecuted for theft and fraud due to the faulty Horizon IT system.

Bafta television committee chair Hilary Rosen said: “This is public service television at its best and shows the power of television to change hearts and minds. In a climate where the cost and risk of making UK-specific dramas that have limited international appeal is becoming increasingly challenging, this special award champions ITV’s brave commission and honours the social and public impact television can have.

“As Mr Bates vs the Post Office has proved, audiences want and need to hear these important British stories.”

The show centres on former post office operator Alan Bates, charting his sacking by the Post Office, his formation of the Justice for Subpostmasters Alliance, and his campaigning for victims of the Post Office scandal.

Polly Hill, ITV’s director of drama, said: “Commissioning Mr Bates was without doubt the proudest moment of my career and has shown us the power a story can have on the nation.

“Everyone involved in the drama wanted their story to be heard and we are glad the drama did that, but justice won’t be done until they are all paid what they are owed. In this moment though, we will enjoy the recognition for ITV and remember the power drama can have.”

The Bafta television special award will be presented to ITV’s managing director, Kevin Lygo and Hill during the 2025 Bafta television awards on Sunday 11 May at the Royal Festival Hall in London.