Toxic Town is a new four-part Netflix drama that explores the huge impact of an environmental catastrophe on local families.
In 1995, dozens of babies in the Midlands town of Corby were born with disabilities as a result of toxic waste polluting the air. Jodie Whittaker headlines the cast bringing this harrowing drama to the screen for the first time.
Here’s what you need to know about the true story behind Toxic Town.
What is the scandal?
An unexplained cluster of birth defects occurred in the small town of Corby, Northamptonshire in the mid-’90s.
The town had been a hotbed of industry but its steelworks closed in 1981. The local council was then put in charge of its reclamation, which meant removing toxic waste that was a byproduct of the former steel works, in a bid to rebuild on the site and grow the local community. including transporting toxic waste in a bid to revive the town.
But those in charge opted for speed over safety and cut corners when it came to transporting the toxic waste. Uncovered vehicles raced through the residential streets, with toxic matter spilling over the side of the trucks, turning into dust once dry.
After years of anguish, local families, determined lawyers and whistleblowers in the local council worked together and realised that the toxic matter had been inhaled by pregnant mothers, which caused the limb differences in the babies.
What followed was a decade-long fight for justice, as the families embarked on an exhausting court case battle to hold those responsible to account.
What was the result of the toxic waste scandal?
Spoiler warning for episode four of Toxic Town.
In April 2010 a settlement was agreed between Corby Borough Council and the families. The full cost to the council was £14.6 million. No criminal charges were ever brought against those responsible.
In total, 19 settlements were reached and legal history was made. The landmark decision was the first in the world to establish a link between atmospheric toxic waste and the impact on babies carried by women breathing it in.
The series ends with some harrowing facts that show the same danger could still be present across the UK. A 2021 study of Environment Agency data shows there are at least 21,000 former landfill sites across England and Wales. Up to 1,287 contain hazardous waste, with 167 of these sites located under housing, shops and restaurants, and at least four of them are under schools.
Are all of the characters based on real people?
Many of Toxic Town’s characters are direct representations of the real people caught up in the scandal, with names staying the same.
Jodie Whittaker takes the lead role as Susan McIntyre, one of the mums impacted by the scandal when her son is born with a birth defect.
Sex Education’s Aimee Lou Wood and Bridgerton’s Claudia Jessie portray Tracey and Maggie, two other mothers who were part of the legal battle.
It was really nerve-racking when the mums came on set
‘The mums did come on set one day,’ says Whittaker. ‘It was really emotional and nerve-racking, because I knew how fiery Susan was. If she didn’t like the way I was doing it, she’d say so.’
Former council worker Sam Hagan (Robert Carlyle) was a real person and the series is dedicated to his memory. Lawyer Des Collins (Rory Kinnear) is also lifted from the true story.
Some of the characters were created for purposes of the drama, with council staff Pat Miller and Bill Martin both being entirely fictional, while Deputy Council Leader Roy Thomas is based on a number of men, none of whom lived to see their plans for Corby fully realised.
How many families were impacted?
Although Toxic Town focuses on three of the families impacted by the Corby scandal, a total of 19 were involved.
‘We met with the mums of all 19 families,’ writer Jack Thorne told Radio Times. ‘Because it had taken them so long to win the case and the council had put out a lot of propaganda against these women in terms of cost to taxpayers, quite a few families didn’t want that scrutiny again.
Quite a few of the families didn’t want the scrutiny again
‘We focused on those who we thought would show the tapestry of the town, because the fact that toxic waste was airborne meant it was democratic and affected everyone. Susan was the natural leader. loved everything I read about her, then I met her and loved her even more - she’s a complicated, wonderful person, joyous to write.
When is Toxic Town released?
All four episodes of Toxic Town are available to stream on Netflix now.
Check out the trailer below for a glimpse of the drama.