The Toxic Town Series: A Dramatic Portrayal of Environmental Injustice
In 2009, the British High Court found Corby Borough Council guilty of negligence for its mismanagement of toxic waste in the Northamptonshire town over a span of fifteen years between 1984 and 1999. Though dubbed “the British Erin Brockovich,” the story of the Corby poisonings — and of the band of mothers who courageously confronted and fought their town’s leadership for justice as they raised children with toxic waste-related birth defects — is one you likely haven’t heard. Until now, that is. In Netflix’s new four-part limited series Toxic Town, penned by prolific writer Jack Thorne (The Virtues, His Dark Materials), the monumental environmental scandal and the landmark case associated with it is dramatised through the lens of the women — led by Jodie Whittaker, Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education), and Claudia Jessie (Bridgerton) — whose love for their kids overcame a Goliath sized display of institutional greed and negligence. Check out the trailer for the drama below:
The Mothers’ Fight for Justice
In this first look at the sure-to-be-sobering series, which successfully tees up a community-versus-the-man battle of Mr Bates Vs. The Post Office proportions, we meet Whittaker’s Susan McIntyre and Wood’s Tracey Taylor. It is McIntyre and Taylor who are the first two mothers to suspect a connection between their children’s defects and the presence of waste deposited by British Steel in Corby, and it is their struggle — as women, and as working class women more specifically — to prove their claims against an indifferent system driven by the covetous prioritisation of “progress” over the humanitarian crisis presented by “the mess” that Toxic Town revolves around. As McIntyre succinctly puts it, “This is a battle for the kids because they don’t have a choice… so we don’t have a choice.” Remarkably though, given the dour tone and serious (not to mention seriously infuriating) subject matter, the show looks to be as bent on shining a light on the humour and tenacity and maternal warmth of the women whose stories it tells as it is on the corruption of the suits who put their kids’ futures at risk.
A Stellar Cast Sheds Light on the Truth
Joining Whittaker, Wood, and Jessie in the series are a veritable who’s who of acting heavyweights including Robert Carlyle, Joe Dempsie, Corby native Brendan Coyle, and Rory Kinnear, the last of whom plays the families’ lawyer, Des Collins. “Tell them what they did to you,” says Collins as ‘I Will Survive’ blares out in the background. “What they did to your kids. Tell them the truth.” And the truth is exactly what we’re in for when Toxic Town hits Netflix on 27 February. Mark the calendar!
Conclusion
The Toxic Town series promises to shed light on the environmental injustices faced by the residents of Corby and the courageous mothers who fought for justice against all odds. With a stellar cast and a gripping storyline, this limited series is set to captivate audiences and raise awareness about the importance of holding accountable those responsible for environmental negligence.
FAQs
Q: When will Toxic Town be available on Netflix?
A: Toxic Town is set to premiere on Netflix on 27 February.
Q: Who are the lead actresses in Toxic Town?
A: Jodie Whittaker, Aimee Lou Wood, and Claudia Jessie lead the cast of Toxic Town.
Q: What is the premise of Toxic Town?
A: Toxic Town dramatises the true story of the Corby poisonings and the mothers who fought against environmental injustice for their children’s sake.
Credit: www.empireonline.com
