The series is based on the real life story of the Corby poisonings.

By Katelyn Mensah

Published: Monday, 18 September 2023 at 11:41 AM


Bridgerton’s Claudia Jessie has joined the cast of Netflix’s upcoming series Toxic Town.

Jessie will star alongside Michael Socha (Big Boys Don’t Cry) and Joe Dempsie (Games of Thrones) in the drama. The series will also feature Jodie Whittaker (Doctor Who), Robert Carlyle (Transporting) and Aimee Lou Wood (Sex Education).

Toxic Town is a four-part limited series based on the real life story of the Corby poisonings, one of the UK’s biggest environmental scandals. As per Netflix, the series is a story about community, focusing on three mothers who take on a David and Goliath fight for justice.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the rates of upper-limb defects in babies born in Corby were found to be three times higher than those of children born in the surrounding area, after toxic waste was transported through populated areas via open lorries. A lawsuit filed by 18 families was ultimately successful in 2009, with a settlement being reached in 2010.

Claudia Jessie is best known for her role as Eloise Bridgerton in Shonda Rhimes’s hit period drama. She has also featured in Line of Duty and Vanity Fair.

Claudia Jessie plays Eloise Bridgerton
Claudia Jessie plays Eloise Bridgerton in Bridgerton.
Netflix

Writer Jack 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.”