The new Netflix drama, Toxic Town, covers the distressing story of mothers uniting to challenge their local council over the mishandling of toxic waste, which they believe caused their children's disabilities.
Released on February 27, Toxic Town has swiftly become the most-watched TV programme in the UK on the streaming platform, surpassing American Murder Gabby Petito and Robert De Niro's Zero Day.
The series features Jodie Whittaker, Aimee Lou Wood, Claudia Jessie, Brendan Coyle, and Robert Carlyle among its cast, portraying a shocking scandal in Corby, Northamptonshire.
The plot centres around mothers confronting their town's council over alleged toxic waste mismanagement after discovering their children were born with limb differences and health issues. But are the characters in Toxic Town real?
Are the characters in Toxic Town real?
Many of them are based on actual individuals affected by the scandal.
Jodie Whittaker stars as Susan McIntyre, whose son, Connor, was born with a deformed hand. In reality, Connor endured bullying at school due to his hand and underwent several corrective surgeries during his childhood, including one where two of his toes were grafted onto his hand.
Surrey Live reports how, despite these procedures, Connor never achieved a pincer grip with his hand.
The real-life McIntyre reflects on her journey to understand the health issues affecting newborns. "I was in hospital with lots of other mothers having babies, and some of them had babies that had problems with their limbs," she shared.
"And I'd say, 'Oh, you'll be all right,' and I'd comfort them, and then four months later, the same thing happened to me. I had a baby with the exact same thing. And I did think that was strange."
In the series, Aimee Lou Wood from Sex Education portrays Tracey Taylor, a mother grieving the loss of her daughter Shelby just four days after birth. Claudia Jessie takes on the role of Maggie Mahon, whose child was born with a defect.
Robert Carlyle plays the part of councillor Sam Hagen, who backed the campaign and attempted to reveal the council's misdeeds. In reality, he served as a Labour councillor and later deputy leader of the council, providing crucial information to solicitor Des Collins about the clean-up operation.
Following his passing in 2022, the series pays tribute to him at its conclusion.
James Bond actor Rory Kinnear portrays lawyer Des Collins, who was instrumental in building the case against Corby Borough Council. He played a key role in representing the families and preparing the High Court case.
While Toxic Town features many characters based on real people, several characters were created specifically for the drama to enhance the storytelling.
Corby Borough Council's Roy Thomas, portrayed by Brendan Coyle, is a character crafted from an 'amalgamation' of individuals and perspectives present on the council at the time, particularly focusing on how employment and economic expansion were often valued above environmental protections.
Series writer Jack Thorne delved into the character's mindset, explaining: "With Roy, I really wanted to make sure that we were explaining why he believes what he believes," and elaborated on the character's background: "That thing of being part of a queue outside the unemployment office with 11,000 people, and his fears about how a town like that is going to survive when he was seeing other towns all over the country being killed by industrial change, being killed by the death of industrial Britain.
"Roy prioritizes jobs and growth over safety, but that's what he's been taught, that's the life he's led."
The story also introduces fictional council leaders Pat Miller and Bill Martin. Another fictitious character, council whistleblower Ted Jenkins, played by Stephen McMillan, embodies the essence of actual whistleblowers who exposed the dangerous shortcuts taken.
Toxic Town is currently available to watch on Netflix.
