Key players

ITV drama’s cast and their real-life counterparts

Toby Jones as Alan Bates

Credited with inspiring the ITV drama through his defiant stance over Horizon. Now 69, he and long-term partner Suzanne Sercombe used their savings to purchase their post office in Llandudno but their contract was terminated in 2003 when he refused to accept liability for missing cash. In 2004, he wrote to Computer

Weekly which led to the first inquiry into Horizon and a report in 2009. He then led victims in a campaign for compensation that led to a High Court victory in 2019. More than 90 convictions have been overturned in what is described as Britain’s widest miscarriage of justice ever.

Monica Dolan as Jo Hamilton

Now 66, she began working at the PO branch in South Warnborough, Hants, in 2001 but ran into financial difficulty within two years after she was presented with inaccurate shortfalls. She tried to pay the money from her own pocket and had to remortgage home and run up debts. She was fired by the Post Office in 2006 as losses began to spiral again and was charged with theft of more than £36,000. In 2008, she pleaded guilty to false accounting for fear of going to prison but her conviction was quashed in 2021. She has described what the Post Office did as “depraved”.

Will Mellor as Lee Castleton

Bankrupted by legal battle over a £25,000 shortfall at his branch in Bridlington, East Yorks. Represented himself at High Court and lost. Ordered to pay PO costs of £321,000.

Krupa Pattani as Saman Kaur

Based on Jess Kaur from Walsall who suffered a breakdown after she was accused of stealing £11,000. Ms Kaur said she was told to plead guilty so she could return to work.

Ifan Huw Dafydd as Noel Thomas

Worked for the PO since the 1960s but spent 60th birthday behind bars for allegedly stealing £48,000 from his Anglesey branch. He was also disqualified as a councillor.

Colin Tierney as Martin Griffiths

Took his own life in 2013 after alleged £100K shortfall at his branch in Great Sutton, Cheshire. Spent four years repaying with own money as mental health grew worse.