Actress Jodie Whittaker was spotted in Manchester, appearing heavily pregnant while filming scenes for the forthcoming drama Toxic Town. The series, set to air on Netflix, depicts the real-life Corby poisonings scandal, where toxic waste in East Midlands led to birth defects in babies. Whittaker plays Susan McIntyre, one of three local mothers affected by the catastrophe. The show will focus on the legal battle between parents of the affected children and the local council following the environmental disaster. Alongside Whittaker, the series also stars actors such as Aimee Lou Wood, Brendan Coyle, Robert Carlyle, and Rory Kinnear, with a release date yet to be announced.
The Corby toxic waste case was a landmark legal battle that found Corby Borough Council liable for negligence, public nuisance, and breach of statutory duty for its reclamation of a steelworks site between 1985 and 1997. The case established a link between toxic waste exposure and birth defects, leading to implications for similar reclamation programs in England and Wales. Expert evidence presented in court showed that mothers and children in Corby suffered from deformities due to contamination from the waste removal operations. The legal battle represented 18 young people with serious disabilities, including limb deformities caused by exposure to toxic substances during pregnancy.
Jodie Whittaker appeared to be in high spirits while filming scenes for Toxic Town, engaging with members of the production team. The show’s writer, Jack Thorne, described the Corby toxic waste case as a defining moment in history that highlighted the fight for justice and safety. Whittaker’s departure from Doctor Who was confirmed in 2021, with the actress reflecting on her four-year tenure as the first female Doctor as “the best job I ever had.” Ncuti Gatwa was later unveiled as the 15th Doctor in May 2022. Whittaker is seen in photos from the filming set pushing a pram and cradling a baby, showcasing her character’s involvement in the tragic events portrayed in the series.
The Corby toxic waste case revealed significant negligence by the local council in allowing toxic waste to disperse into the atmosphere, leading to a cluster of birth defects from 1989 to 1999. Judge Akenhead’s ruling held the council responsible for the contaminants present in the area that could cause the birth defects reported. Whittaker was seen filming with co-star Michael Socha, portraying the setting of the 1990s with attention to detail. The series will depict the struggles of the mothers fighting for justice in the aftermath of the toxic waste spillages and the resulting health issues faced by the town’s residents.
Toxic Town is set to be a four-episode limited series that highlights the legal, environmental, and personal battles faced by the affected families in Corby. The show will explore themes of resilience, perseverance, and the fight for truth and justice amidst a devastating environmental disaster. Whittaker’s portrayal of Susan McIntyre and the ensemble cast’s performances aim to bring awareness to the real-life events of the Corby poisonings and the long-lasting effects on the community. The release date for Toxic Town on Netflix is yet to be announced, but the series promises to shed light on a significant chapter in UK environmental history and the fight for accountability and restitution following a tragic event.
