The series was hailed as ‘incredible’ by fans online(Image: Ben Blackall/Netflix)
One of the “best TV shows you’ve never seen” is a gripping drama currently available on Netflix. Tracking down your next television obsession isn’t always straightforward.
There’s an overwhelming number of programmes to choose from across a vast array of streaming platforms and TV channels, from Netflix and Amazon Prime Video to BBC iPlayer and ITVX. However, if you reckon you’ve exhausted everything worth watching, then this series that’s been taking the internet by storm could be precisely what you’re after.
Hailed as the “best” show that most viewers haven’t yet discovered, the Netflix series was featured in a TikTok video by Tim Glanfield, a culture critic for The Times and The Sunday Times, who described it as a must-watch for fans of recent British hits such as Adolescence and Mr Bates vs The Post Office.
The programme in question is Toxic Town, a British drama miniseries that chronicles the story of three mothers caught up in the Corby toxic waste case of 2009.
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Toxic Town was penned by Jack Thorne, widely recognised for writing the stage adaptation of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, as well as co-writing the three This Is England miniseries alongside Shane Meadows, and the 2025 Netflix miniseries, Adolescence.
And if you’re a devotee of dramas rooted in real-life events, such as Mr Bates vs The Post Office, then Toxic Town will similarly be right up your street, as it too is grounded in a true story.
In his video, Tim explained: “Is this the best TV show that you’ve never seen? While Mr Bates vs The Post Office was one of the big issue-based dramas that absolutely captured the attention of the nation, and even got debated in parliament and talked about by the Prime Minister, this is a show that is about an equally huge British scandal.
“Written by Jack Thorne, co-creator of Adolescence, this is the story of the toxic waste scandal in Corby. Starring great performances from an ensemble British cast, including Jodie Whittaker, Aimee Lou Wood, Rory Kinnear, and Robert Carlyle, it highlights the plight of a group of mothers who fought for justice after there were birth defects in their children.
“It’s a show that deserves more attention, and it’s available to watch on Netflix.”
Toxic Town is a four-part series released on Netflix in early 2025, telling the story of the Corby toxic waste case. The landmark legal case, which concluded in 2009, found Corby Borough Council liable for negligence, public nuisance, and breach of statutory duty in connection with its reclamation of Corby Steelworks between 1985 and 1997.
The gripping drama received a British Academy Television Award nomination for Best Actress in recognition of Jodie Whittaker’s portrayal of Susan McIntyre earlier this year. However, she was pipped to the post by Narges Rashidi, who took home the accolade for her role as Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe in the BBC series Prisoner 951.
Alongside Whittaker, Michael Socha plays Whittaker’s husband, Peter McIntyre, while Aimee Lou Wood stars as Tracey Taylor, Rory Kinnear plays Des Collins, Robert Carlyle plays Sam Hagen, and Joe Dempsie stars as Derek Mahon.
Toxic Town boasts a near-perfect score on the review site Rotten Tomatoes, earning a flawless 100% from critics and an impressive 85% from public audiences.
TV enthusiasts on Reddit have previously declared they “highly recommend” the series, describing it as a “well-written” show with a “compelling story” that left them “cheering” when it concluded.
One viewer remarked: “Typical British production with incredible actors, well-written script, and compelling story. Thought it might be too much of a bummer, but then I saw who was in it and gave it a shot. Watched all four episodes yesterday and stood up cheering when it ended.”
Another viewer enthused: “It was unbelievable. I actually went back and watched the final episode again, as it was just so good. A difficult watch and a harrowing subject, but so well done and excellent acting.”
Toxic Town is available to stream on Netflix now.
