Mr Bates v The Post Office: Critics praise ITV's real-life drama

Mr. Bates vs The Post Office received largely positive reviews after the first episode aired on New Year's Day.

The ITV drama is based on the he real-life story of Postmaster Alan Bates (Toby Jones) who led the campaign to expose the Post Office Horizon computer scandal.

The Telegraph described it as "undeniably powerful and ultimately redemptive."

But The Independent said the series "could use a bit more drama". week, focuses on the Bates led and won an epic legal battle, paving the way for dozens of convictions to be overturned.

Giving four stars to the first episode, The Telegraph's Jasper Rees wrote: "Fueled by righteous rage and sheer disbelief at corporate malfeasance that can never be fully explained, it is undeniably powerful and ultimately redemptive.

"'We just cling to a notion, don't we, someone says, that people can't be that bad. I have rarely felt more manipulated by a drama, and I have rarely felt...