The gripping new Netflix drama Toxic Town is set to unveil the heart-wrenching tale of mothers battling for truth and justice concerning their children's health. Starring the likes of Jodie Whittaker, Aimee Lou Wood, Claudia Jessie, and Robert Carlyle, the series delves into a monumental scandal and is slated for release on February 27.
The series chronicles the fight against a town council accused of mishandling toxic waste, with Netflix billing it as a "story of community resilience in the face of institutional negligence and greed - and the power of parents' love for their children".
The real-life legal fight that inspired the show began in 1999 and spanned a decade before justice was served. With the premiere of Toxic Town just around the corner, this is a closer look at the series to find out about the true story that inspired the drama.
From 1984 to 1999, Corby Borough Council embarked on the demolition and redevelopment of the old Stewarts and Lloyds steelworks site in Corby, Northamptonshire. In a bid to save the town after the loss of 11,000 steelworker jobs, the council allegedly skimped on health and safety protocols.
During the clean-up, lorries carrying hazardous substances like zinc, arsenic, boron, and nickel were left uncovered, blanketing the town in a noxious red dust. At the time, the lethal nature of this dust was unknown. Leicestershire Live reports about 200 million tonnes of hazardous waste were transported using open lorries.
In the late 1980s and 1990s, children in the area began to be born with defects, with mothers who lived near each other having affected children. An investigation later discovered that 19 children born with upper limb defects over 15 years were affected by the clean-up operation.
Each of their mothers reported coming into contact with dirt from the clean-up site while pregnant in the town. The families demanded action, and health officials in Northamptonshire launched an investigation in May 1999, which found no issues, but the families persisted in their fight for justice.
With the support of solicitor Des Collins, they took Corby Borough Council to the High Court in London, where a judge established a link between toxic waste and birth defects in February 2009. The court victory led to an apology from the council to the mothers.
Writer Jack Thorne, known for 'Toxic Town,' 'The Swimmers,' and 'His Dark Materials,' was also unaware of the case, often referred to as "the British Erin Brockovich," in which local mothers challenged the town's leadership over the alleged mishandling of toxic waste.
"I didn't know the story," Thorne confesses to Tudum. "I'd never heard of the people involved, and I'd never heard of the case until it was brought to me by [my co-executive producers Annabel Jones and Charlie Brooker].". Once he delved into the tale, Thorne realised its innate drama suited TV incredibly well: "It had within it a lot of drama," he admits, "whether it's the story of the trial itself, or whether it's the way that these women got together and battled together.".
The characters in the series are based on the real-life figures who were affected by the scandal. Jodie Whittaker spearheads the cast as Susan McIntyre, who deals with her son Connor's birth defect alongside other pivotal characters, like Aimee Lou Wood's portrayal of Tracey Taylor mourning her daughter Shelby and Claudia Jessie playing Maggie Mahon, a mother of a child with a deformity.
As for the star Jodie Whittaker, starring as Susan McIntrye was an irresistible opportunity. "Women fighting for justice for their children is an incredibly inspirational story. "I wanted to pay tribute to the fact that this was a group of women that had to fight so hard for justice, and they didn't give up despite how long this took and how heartbreaking the fight was.".
Robert Carlyle takes on the role of councillor Sam Hagen, a supporter of the campaign and whistleblower against the council's misconducts, while James Bond actor Rory Kinnear portrays lawyer Des Collins who constructed the case against Corby Borough Council. However, not all characters are based on real individuals.
Roy Thomas from Corby Borough Council is a composite character, representing a mix of people and perspectives present in the council during that period. Furthermore, council leaders Pat Miller and Bill Martin are entirely fictional characters. Obsessed with Netflix? Get the latest headlines, releases and insider-gossip direct to your inbox with our Binge-worthy newsletter.
