New drama ‘Toxic Town’ brings a real-life fight for justice to the screen
New drama ‘Toxic Town’ brings a real-life fight for justice to the screen
Based on the Corby poisonings, the series follows three mothers taking on a system that failed them.
True stories are always in style, and Netflix is going back to the (contaminated) well with “Toxic Town,” dropping Thursday, Feb. 27. The series unpacks the real-life Corby poisonings, one of the UK’s biggest environmental scandals, where a town’s mishandling of toxic waste led to serious consequences. It follows three mothers - including Susan McIntyre (Jodie Whittaker) - who refuse to back down after their children are born with birth defects linked to the pollution. As they go up against local officials and a system that would rather look the other way, the fight for justice becomes personal, emotional, and impossible to ignore. With a powerhouse cast and a story based on real events, here’s everything you need to know about “Toxic Town.”
Everything you need to know about ‘Toxic Town’:
What is ‘Toxic Town’ about?
“Toxic Town” is a four-part Netflix limited series that dramatizes the real-life events of the Corby poisonings. In the 1980s and ‘90s, Corby - a former steel town - attempted to clean up toxic waste left behind by its old steelworks. But instead of handling it safely, local officials cut corners and allowed chemicals to spread through the air, water supply, and soil. Years later, a group of families noticed an alarming pattern: children born with limb deformities and other health issues. A group of mothers took legal action, fighting for answers and accountability.
The show centers on three of these mothers - Susan McIntyre (Jodie Whittaker), Tracey Taylor (Aimee Lou Wood), and Maggie Mahon (Claudia Jessie) - who take action and demand justice after their children are born with birth defects linked to the negligent industrial practices in their town. The series boasts a stellar ensemble cast, including Robert Carlyle as Sam Hagen, Rory Kinnear as Des Collins, and Brendan Coyle as Roy Thomas. Behind the scenes, “Toxic Town” is created by acclaimed writer Jack Thorne, known for his work on “His Dark Materials” and “Joy.”
Toxic Town
When dozens of babies in Corby are born with disabilities, their mothers embark on a battle to hold those responsible to account.
What time will episodes of ‘Toxic Town’ come on Netflix?
“Toxic Town” is set to premiere on Netflix on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, at 3 a.m. ET. All four episodes of this limited-series drama will be streaming on that date, so you don’t have to worry about waiting weekly for more episodes—binge away!
Netflix
Netflix is a leading subscription-based video streaming service that offers on-demand access to an extensive library of over 3,000 movies, 2,000+ TV shows, and a growing collection of acclaimed Netflix originals. Renowned for producing groundbreaking content, Netflix has become a cultural powerhouse with hit originals like “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday,” “Squid Game,” “The Crown,” “Tiger King,” “Bridgerton,” “The Witcher,” and “Black Mirror.”
Who are the main characters of ‘Toxic Town’?
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Susan McIntyre: Played by Jodie Whittaker, Susan is one of the moms leading the charge in “Toxic Town.” When her child is born with birth defects linked to the town’s toxic waste, she refuses to stay quiet.
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Tracey Taylor: Aimee Lou Wood plays Tracey, another mom caught up in the Corby scandal. She might be quieter than Susan, but she’s just as fierce when it comes to fighting for the truth.
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Maggie Mahon: Claudia Jessie plays Maggie, the third mother at the center of the case. She’s right there alongside Susan and Tracey, refusing to let the town’s negligence go unchecked. Her fight isn’t just for her own child - it’s for every family affected.
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Sam Hagen: Robert Carlyle steps into the role of Sam, who shows just how deep the impact of the Corby poisonings ran.
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Roy Thomas: Played by Brendan Coyle, Roy is part of the town’s power structure. Whether he’s a force for good or just another obstacle in the moms’ fight for justice – we’ll have to wait and find out.
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Des Collins: Rory Kinnear plays Des, one of the legal minds taking on the case. The fight for justice in “Toxic Town” isn’t just happening in the streets - it’s happening in the courtroom, too.
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Derek Mahon: Joe Dempsie plays Derek, a character caught in the middle of the town’s environmental disaster.
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Peter: Michael Socha plays Peter, another Corby resident trying to navigate the fallout of the scandal.
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Dani Holliday: Lauren Lyle plays Dani, whose life is turned upside down by what happened in Corby.
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Pattie Walker: Karla Crome plays Pattie, another voice in the town’s growing fight for answers.
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Marc Taylor: Matthew Durkan plays Marc, rounding out the cast with another perspective on how Corby’s toxic waste disaster changed lives forever.
Is ‘Toxic Town’ based on a true story?
Yes, “Toxic Town” is based on a true story, and it’s a wild (and infuriating) one. The Corby poisonings weren’t just some distant scandal - they were a real-life fight for justice that changed lives. In the early 2000s, a group of parents took their town to court, proving that officials’ reckless handling of toxic waste had led to their children being born with birth defects. It was a huge deal because cases like this rarely win, but these families refused to be ignored. Their victory set a legal precedent for holding companies and governments accountable for environmental damage. “Toxic Town” isn’t just retelling the story - it’s shining a light on how badly these people failed and how far they had to go just to get someone to listen.