Written By: Deidre, Special Guest Reviewer
TOXIC TOWN is a 2025 limited drama series written and created by Jack Thorne (Wonder, Joy), and is based on the true story of the Corby poisonings.
The tragic toxic waste case in the East Midlands and three mothers fighting for the justice for the rates of upper limb defects in babies born in Corby were subsequently found to be three times higher than the national average.
TOXIC TOWN made its debut February 27th on Netflix
Finally, a female here to bring some female perspective to these series/movies. Who doesn't love a well-rounded team? Let me start by saying, I'm entirely too emotional to watch series like these. I chose it as my first review in over a half a decade because within this cast are some of my favorite characters from other series. Dave from Bank of Dave (Rory Kinnear), Eloise from Bridgerton (Claudia Jessie), Mr. Bates from Downton Abbey (Brendan Coyle), and last but certainly not least and my personal fav, Aimee from Sex Education (Aimee Lou Wood). I mean, what a cast am I right? In all honesty, this series was absolutely heart wrenching but so worthy.
As an individual who lost their father from cancer due to environmental toxins, this really hit home. On the lighter side, one of my best friends is from the North of England and so many of the phrases said are ones I hear all the time and they always make me giggle. Like a slapped arse is always my favorite. Let's get down to the grit of this series. The first 10 minutes of the first episode was enraging to say the least. The will of women though, am I right?
Where there's a will there's a way and their tenacity were commendable. Having friends that live near where this happened, it honestly makes my heart ache. Jodie Whittaker was absolutely brilliant throughout as was Dave, I mean Rory (of course). I don't know about anyone else but when I watch a series, I take it as fact as I'm viewing it and knowing what I know in connection to the meat of this series, it is easy to believe that this happened because the reality is, it does happen. Greed drives so many bad decisions and there are so few people that will stand up and fight.
I'm so proud of each and every human who did the right thing in this story. The term better late then never comes to mind, but I'm not one to accept that, things should have been done sooner. A lot sooner. I genuinely appreciate the lighthearted humor at times or else I would have cried through the whole thing. This doesn't surprise me with the series I've seen previously from this cast though and who doesn't love some good banter.
THE VERDICT
I've watched a lot of series in my day, including a lot of English series as they tend to be my favorite. This was a beautifully written story. Brilliantly acted. Incredibly shot. Not going to lie, I bawled through most of the final episode. I realize again that it might be because it's a little close to home in different ways but gosh, this was a great series. My only complaint was a very few misses in the fine details. Only things that those of us with a critics' eye would likely notice. I call it my OCD eye, as I'm far from a professional critic.
Additionally, without giving it away, there was the start of a "what's going on here" moment in episode 4 between Susan (Jodie) and Peter (Michael Socha) that got me to thinking. They could have built on that, or it could have even been a continuation of the story but in the end, I loved it. Everyone should watch this series. Everyone should know about this story, because unfortunately this type of thing happens. The more you know and all that. Knowledge is power and the fact that certain people in this story profited while others suffered and didn't care, is well, outrageous but not surprising. THE BALLS. We move forward with knowing that there is good and light in the world. Go find the good people within it and hold onto them. I highly recommend.
TED TAKES RATING - 9.8/10
TOXIC TOWN is now streaming on Netflix. Check out the latest trailer below.