Netflix UK lines up Jack Thorne environmental drama with Jodie Whittaker, Robert Carlyle

LR: Jodie Whittaker, Robert Carlyle, Aimee Lou Wood, Rory Kinnear, Brendan Coyle

Netflix in the UK is linking up with Jack Thorne, former Doctor Who star Jodie Whittaker and Trainspotting‘s Robert Carlyle on a four-part drama based on the true story about one of the UK’s biggest environmental scandals.

Toxic Town is being produced by Charlie Brooker and Annabel Jones’ outfit Broke & Bones and will examine the so-called Corby poisonings, which occurred when a former steel works was being demolished.

The excavation and regeneration of the site saw toxic waste being trucked through the UK town of Corby, resulting in a surge in birth defects. The show tracks three mothers as they attempt to force authorities to admit a link with the regenration of the site.

Thorne writes with Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who), Robert Carlyle (Trainspotting), Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education), Rory Kinnear (The Diplomat) and Brendan Coyle (Downton Abbey) aonf the cast. It is due to go into production later this month.

Thorne said: “The Corby Toxic Waste Case is one of those moments in history that is defining. 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.

“Toxic Town tells the story of these funny, brave, incredible women and the way they scrapped for their children. It has been a true privilege working with Annabel, Minkie, Delyth and the whole Broke & Bones family on this incredible story, and we are so grateful to Netflix for giving us the opportunity and support in telling it.”

Jones added: “We are thrilled to be working with the hugely talented Jack Thorne. He is the voice of this generation and brings an intelligence, an intensity and an empathy to the human story behind this landmark case. 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.”

Annabel Jones, Thorne and Minkie Spiro exec produce; direction is by Minkie Spiro; Delyth Scudamore produces. Episode three is written by Thorne and Amy Trigg.