‘Toxic Town’ Series Cast And Character Guide

Netflix’s latest British miniseries, Toxic Town is centered around the real-life legal battle between the Corby Borough Council and the townsfolk whose children suffered birth deformities due to toxic waste pollution resulting from deliberate neglect and mismanagement by the authorities involved in the steel plant land reclamation. As the makers decide to approach the narrative from the perspective of the victim’s families and the residents of the industrial town, it is important to note that maternal figures gained prominence – the ones who were most affected/ blamed for a predicament beyond their control, as patriarchal society functioned that way, and still does. Aside from this aspect, the series also focuses on the bureaucratic corruption which preys on the socioeconomic vulnerabilities of small townships and ends up ruining the future of upcoming generations in diabolically selfish pursuits. 

Tracey Taylor Played By Aimee Lou Wood

British Actor Aimee Lou Wood is an amazing comedy actor, after beginning her acting journey with acclaimed stage performances, she gained prominence with her role as Aimee Gibbs in Netflix’s Sex Education. Recently she has also acted in the third season of HBO’s The White Lotus, retaining her comedic flair as lively, chirpy Chelsea. Her role in Toxic Town is much more somber and tragic in nature by comparison, as she portrays the character of Tracey Taylor, a perceptive accountant/ mother who ends up losing her first child, Shelby, due to the Corby toxic waste contamination. Tracey is shown to be quite composed and reflective in nature, and the keen sense of pathos of her loss is highlighted really well in Wood’s performance. The story began with Tracey and Susan’s friendship in the labor ward, and in the prolonged legal battle against the Borough Council, both the mothers turn out to be figureheads to unite victims who shared a similar fate. As the trial edges towards their victory, Tracey is ecstatic to finally have the chance to find a sense of closure – but even that chance is denied to her as by cruel whim of fate, it becomes impossible for her to be present as one of the claimants. Thankfully Tracey had the constant support of her loving husband, Marc, who provided her the emotional shelter she needed after having to go through the merciless tribulations of fate. 

Susan McIntyre Played By Jodie Whittaker

British Actor Jodie Whittaker has previously acted in Broadchurch and Black Mirror, but the role for which she is most recognized is playing the thirteenth Doctor, the first female one, in Doctor Who. In the series, she portrayed the character of Susan McIntyre, a single mother who overcame all odds to provide a safe, loving upbringing to her son Connor, who was a victim of the Corby toxin contamination. Susan is shown to be extremely protective of Connor, whom she had to raise on her own when her husband, Peter, ended up leaving her after the birth of their second son. A loudmouth who might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, Susan is nonetheless a kind, compassionate woman who could empathize with the misery of her fellow victims – especially Tracey. Unlike Tracey, who had a supportive husband, Susan had no one to lean on. When  she started considering that things were getting better after Peter tried to return to his family – seeking a chance to redeem himself, she realized what kind of a cheating scoundrel her husband really was – his sole intention was to claim the court payout. However, Susan is a happy mother as her sons have turned out to be exactly opposite of their pathetic father, as they are shown to have moral integrity. 

Des Williams Played By Rory Kinnear

British Actor Rory Kinnear has a prolific list of acting credits, which includes performing in series like Penny Dreadful, Black Mirror, Our Flag Means Death, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and playing Bill Tanner in Daniel Craig’s James Bond movies to name a few. In the series, he played the role of mild mannered, reserved, selfless lawyer Des Williams, who fought a legal battle representing the Corby mothers without charging a penny before the case ended simply because it was the right thing to do. His strong moral conviction, indomitable will, and perseverance are some of the key traits which makes the character of Des Williams quite unique and memorable. 

Sam Hagen Played By Robert Carlyle

Veteran Scottish Actor Robert Carlyle has garnered much acclaim in a myriad of roles through his three decades long-acting career which includes movies like Trainspotting, Priest, The Full Monty, The World is Not Enough, and Ravenous to name a few. In the series, he portrays the on-screen counterpart of real-life Corby Borough Councilman Sam Hagen, who acted as a whistleblower by leaking confidential documents of the council which proved deliberate neglect in toxic waste management. It is rare to have a politician who actually cares for the people they serve, and Sam Hagen proved himself to be such an individual as he prioritized justice over his status as a politician. 

Ted Jenkins Played By Stephen McMillan

Scottish Actor Stephen McMillan has previously taken part in movies like The Outlaw King, Boiling Point and Dead Shot. In the series, he portrayed the role of Ted Jenkins, the young engineer working for Borough Council who was the first person to draw attention to the toxic waste pollution crisis, only to get rebuffed by the greedy head honchos who were calling the shots. Ted, whose father was a victim of dubious, non-existent safety regulation of steel plants, didn’t want others to suffer a similar fate, and put his career on the line to bring the truth to light. However, Ted ended up paying the price for his honesty by getting fired from his job, and it is poetic justice to have him be the person who put the final nail in the coffin of the egotistical council administration at the end. 

Miscellaneous Characters 

Aside from the main cast, the supporting characters in Toxic Town were quite brilliant. Actor Brendan Coyle’s portrayal of crooked, old school politician Ray Thomas who throws public safety down the gutter to make a profit, will make viewers detest the character. Actor Claudia Jessie’s portrayal of Maggie and Actor Joe Dempsie’s performance as Maggie’s husband, Derek will definitely please viewers through their interpersonal dynamics.