Toxic Town Review: A Powerful Drama About Corporate Greed and Community Resilience

Image credits: Ben Blackall/Netflix

Toxic Town, a new Netflix drama, tells the story of a group of mothers in Corby, Northamptonshire, who fought for justice after their children were born with disabilities due to toxic waste in their town. The show is based on a true story and stars Jodie Whittaker and Aimee Lou Wood as two of the mothers, Susan and Tracey, who lead the campaign for justice. The drama explores the themes of corporate greed, community resilience, and the power of ordinary people to bring about change.

The show is set in the 1990s, when the Corby steelworks were closed and the site was redeveloped into housing and a theme park. However, the redevelopment process involved the removal of toxic waste, which was not properly handled, leading to the contamination of the air and soil. The mothers, who were unaware of the dangers of the toxic waste, gave birth to children with disabilities, including upper limb deformities. As they struggled to come to terms with their children's conditions, they began to suspect that the toxic waste was the cause and started a campaign for justice.

The drama follows the mothers' journey as they fight against the council and the corporations responsible for the toxic waste. Along the way, they face numerous challenges, including intimidation, bribery, and bullying. However, they also receive support from a solicitor, Des Collins, who takes on their case and helps them to gather evidence and build a strong argument. The show features a talented ensemble cast, including Rory Kinnear, Robert Carlyle, and Brendan Coyle, and is written by Jack Thorne, who is known for his work on His Dark Materials and Harry Potter and the Cursed Child.

The show has been praised for its powerful portrayal of the mothers' story and its exploration of the themes of corporate greed and community resilience. The performances of the cast, particularly Jodie Whittaker and Aimee Lou Wood, have been praised for their nuance and depth. The show has also been praised for its thoughtful and sensitive portrayal of the disabilities and health problems experienced by the children. Some of the key episodes and plot points include:

• Episode 1: Introduction to the mothers and their families, and the discovery of the toxic waste
• Episode 2: The mothers start to suspect that the toxic waste is the cause of their children's disabilities and begin to campaign for justice
• Episode 3: The mothers face intimidation and bribery from the council and corporations, but continue to fight for justice
• Episode 4: The final episode, which features the trial and the outcome of the mothers' campaign

The show has been compared to other dramas, such as Mr Bates vs the Post Office, which also explored themes of corporate greed and community resilience. However, Toxic Town is unique in its portrayal of the experiences of the mothers and their children, and its exploration of the complexities of the toxic waste scandal. Overall, Toxic Town is a powerful and thought-provoking drama that highlights the importance of community and the devastating effects of corporate greed.