Netflix’s Toxic Town is a harrowing four-part drama that delves into one of the most shocking environmental scandals in modern British history. Set in the Midlands town of Corby, the series revisits the period between the late 1980s and mid-1990s, when an alarming number of babies were born with upper-limb deformities. This disturbing pattern coincided with a large-scale redevelopment project on the site of Corby’s former steelworks, during which hazardous industrial waste was unearthed and transported through the town, unleashing toxic pollutants into the environment. However, the connection between the contamination and the birth defects took years to be established, leading to a landmark legal battle culminating in a 2009 court ruling against the local borough council.
At its core, Toxic Town is a gripping story of resilience and justice, centering on a group of determined mothers who refused to let their children’s suffering be ignored. Leading the charge is Susan McIntyre, played with remarkable depth by Jodie Whittaker. Initially portrayed as a no-nonsense woman more prone to small disputes than high-stakes legal battles, Susan undergoes a profound transformation when her son is born with a deformed hand. Abandoned by her partner Peter (Michael Socha), she channels her grief and frustration into an unwavering pursuit of accountability, determined to uncover the truth behind Corby’s devastating health crisis.
As Susan’s fight gains momentum, she finds allies among other affected families, including the emotionally fragile yet resolute Tracey (Aimee Lou Wood), who is mourning the loss of her baby due to severe complications. Their collective struggle is bolstered by the steadfast legal expertise of Des Collins (Rory Kinnear), a lawyer whose commitment to their cause proves instrumental in taking on the borough council. The series also introduces Sam Hagen (Robert Carlyle), a whistleblower who repeatedly raises concerns about the town’s environmental safety, only to be ignored by those in power.
Jack Thorne’s screenplay pulsates with indignation, balancing the intimate personal battles of the campaigners with the larger, systemic failures of governance that allowed such negligence to persist. The storytelling is heightened by Minkie Spiro’s direction, which meticulously crafts an atmosphere of unease—lingering shots of rust-colored puddles, swirling dust clouds, and ominous industrial landscapes serve as haunting reminders of the invisible poison that ravaged the town’s most vulnerable.
Despite its powerful narrative, Toxic Town does occasionally fall into familiar genre tropes, particularly in its courtroom sequences and emotional crescendos that, while moving, sometimes feel overly scripted. However, the series never loses sight of its central mission: to honor the real-life victims and their families while exposing the bureaucratic indifference that enabled such a tragedy. Even in its most sentimental moments, the raw emotional weight of the story remains deeply compelling.
A searing indictment of environmental recklessness and corporate negligence, Toxic Town is not just a cautionary tale—it is a testament to the power of ordinary citizens to demand justice against formidable institutions. For those who appreciate socially conscious dramas with compelling performances and a deeply human core, this series is a must-watch.
Final Score- [7/10]
Reviewed by - Neerja Choudhuri
Follow @NeerjaCH on Twitter
Publisher at Midgard Times