As the nation becomes fully aware of the Post Office scandal, actor Will Mellor explores the real-life impact on sub-postmasters in a new BBC One documentary and a five-part podcast series for BBC Sounds.
In this series, Will speaks with Lee Castleton—whom he portrayed in the ITV drama “Mr Bates Vs The Post Office”—and four other individuals and their families whose lives have been devastated by the scandal.
The documentary and podcast series, produced by BBC Local, takes viewers and listeners through East Yorkshire, County Durham, Lincolnshire, West Sussex, and Cornwall. Here, Will discovers that many sub-postmasters are striving to regain control of their lives. Confronting the past proves to be a challenging journey for some, while for others, it marks a liberating step forward.
Will reflects: “I feel a real connection with these families, and it was an honor to hear their stories for this documentary and podcast. What shocked me most was seeing the extensive impact and trauma—it has deeply affected people’s health, their children, and entire communities.”
In addition to uncovering the financial losses many have endured, Will delves into how they are coping emotionally, moving forward, and finding unexpected support.
Lee Castleton from East Yorkshire expresses his desire to move on. Speaking with Will, Lee shares: “I do feel anger about what happened, but I don’t want to suffer for the rest of my life. I want to live more and enjoy my life, and my kids deserve to have their dad back fully.”
Stephanie Gibson from County Durham recounts her experience at 21, working in a local Post Office, only realizing something was wrong when the police knocked on her door. “I’d never been in trouble with the police in my life; it was horrendous,” she says.
Stephanie discusses how being accused of theft led to her feeling ostracized and isolated. She eventually left the area but returns with Will for the first time to confront her past fears, resulting in a powerful moment of raw emotion with a remarkable outcome.
While the Post Office has apologized for the harm caused, the public inquiry into the scandal continues, with the compensation bill expected to reach up to a billion pounds. Many affected individuals are only beginning their journey to rebuild their lives.
“Surviving The Post Office” airs on BBC One on Monday, 22 July, at 8.30 pm, and is available on BBC iPlayer.
The accompanying podcast series can be found on BBC Sounds—search for “The Post Office Scandal.”
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