‘Downton’ and ‘Bridgerton’ stars join new Netflix drama ‘Toxic Town’

Netflix has announced the cast for a new British series.

Based on the real life story of the Corby poisonings, one of the UK’s biggest environmental scandals, Toxic Town began filming in England last month.

The four-part drama comes from award-winning screenwriter Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials, This is England, Enola Holmes).

Leading the cast is former Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker, alongside Robert Carlyle from The Full Monty, Living actress Aimee Lou Wood, and Rory Kinnear from the recent James Bond movies.

“The Corby Toxic Waste Case is one of those moments in history that is defining,” said writer Jack Thorne.

“It showed our ability to close our eyes and ears to the safety of our people. It also showed the remarkable way that people will fight for what’s right,” he explained.

“Toxic Town tells the story of these funny, brave, incredible women and the way they scrapped for their children.”

British period drama fans will also recognise Brendan Coyle, best known as Mr Bates in Downton Abbey, and Bridgerton star Claudia Jessie, who plays Eloise Bridgerton in Netflix’s hit show.

Other cast members include Joe Dempsie from Game of Thrones, and This is England actor Michael Socha.

“[Jack Thorne] is the voice of this generation and brings an intelligence, an intensity and an empathy to the human story behind this landmark case,” commented executive producer Annabel Jones (Black Mirror).

“Jack compassionately explores the interplay between a local community’s desire for economic prosperity and the environmental and human cost – a story which is as pertinent today as it was then,” she said.

When’s the release date?

Toxic Town will premiere exclusively on Netflix in 2024.

The series is described as “a story about community, focusing on three mothers who take on a David and Goliath fight for justice. By tracing through the years of their fight, a terrible truth comes to the surface – one of stinging injustice.”

Writer Jack Thorne is also busy working on the BBC’s new version of Lord of the Flies!

Based on the iconic book by William Golding about a group of young boys stranded on a tropical island, the series will be the first ever TV adaptation of the story.

William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies is available on Amazon.