Toxic Town, a gripping Netflix drama based on the Corby toxic waste scandal, has been hailed as 'incredible' by viewers, who are binge-watching all four episodes in one sitting. The series, written by Jack Thorne, who co-created the hit Netflix miniseries Adolescence, tells the story of three mothers fighting for justice after birth defects in their children were linked to toxic waste.
What Is Toxic Town About?
The four-part miniseries, released on Netflix in early 2025, chronicles the Corby toxic waste case, a landmark legal battle that concluded in 2009. Corby Borough Council was found liable for negligence, public nuisance, and breach of statutory duty in connection with the reclamation of Corby Steelworks between 1985 and 1997. The drama stars Jodie Whittaker as Susan McIntyre, Aimee Lou Wood as Tracey Taylor, Rory Kinnear as Des Collins, Robert Carlyle as Sam Hagen, and Joe Dempsie as Derek Mahon.
Critical and Audience Reception
Toxic Town has earned a flawless 100% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes, along with an 85% audience rating. The series received a British Academy Television Award nomination for Best Actress for Jodie Whittaker's performance. Viewers on Reddit have 'highly recommended' the show, describing it as 'well-written' with a 'compelling story' that left them 'cheering' at the end. One viewer commented: 'Typical British production with incredible actors, well-written script, and compelling story. Watched all four episodes yesterday and stood up cheering when it ended.' Another added: 'It was unbelievable. I actually went back and watched the final episode again, as it was just so good. A difficult watch but so well done.'
Why It's a Must-Watch
Culture critic Tim Glanfield, from The Times and The Sunday Times, praised the series in a TikTok video, calling it a must-watch for fans of Mr Bates vs The Post Office and Adolescence. He said: 'While Mr Bates vs The Post Office captured the nation's attention, this is a show about an equally huge British scandal. It highlights the plight of a group of mothers who fought for justice. It's a show that deserves more attention.'
Availability
Toxic Town is available to stream on Netflix now.
