In the shadow of crumbling factories and rusted pipes, the fictional town of Glenvale hides a secret that’s poisoning its residents—literally. Toxic Town, Netflix’s gripping new drama, unravels the devastating consequences of corporate greed and environmental neglect through the lives of interconnected characters fighting for justice. When a group of teenagers discovers a clandestine chemical dump linked to a powerful conglomerate, their rebellion ignites a chain reaction of cover-ups, betrayals, and unlikely alliances. Drawing parallels to real-world scandals like Flint’s water crisis and DuPont’s PFOA saga, the series blends slow-burn tension with explosive confrontations, framed by stark cinematography that juxtaposes Glenvale’s decaying landscape with eerie beauty.
Created by BAFTA winner Jack Thorne (His Dark Materials), Toxic Town boasts an ensemble cast of British acting heavyweights and rising stars. From a grieving mother (Jodie Whittaker) to a morally compromised CEO (Robert Carlyle), each character embodies the clash between survival and morality.
Toxic Town: Who’s Who in the Cast?
1- Aimee Lou Wood as Erin Carter
Aimee Lou Wood (born February 1995), the BAFTA-winning star of Sex Education, shines as Erin, a sharp-witted biology teacher turned amateur investigator. Wood’s breakout role as Aimee Gibbs showcased her knack for balancing humor and vulnerability, while her stage work in The Miracle (2022) proved her dramatic chops. In Toxic Town, Erin becomes the reluctant leader of Glenvale’s uprising, using her scientific savvy to expose the contamination.
Off-screen, Wood advocates for mental health awareness and LGBTQ+ rights. “Erin’s journey is about finding courage in chaos,” she says. Fresh off roles in Living (2022) and The Electrical Life of Louis Wain (2021), Wood’s performance anchors the series’ emotional core.
2- Robert Carlyle as Victor Greyson
Robert Carlyle (born April 14, 1961), the Scottish powerhouse behind Trainspotting and The Full Monty, terrifies as Victor, the ruthless CEO of Greyson Chemicals. Carlyle’s ability to humanize villains—seen in Once Upon a Time’s Rumplestiltskin—adds layers to Victor, a man choking on his own lies. His recent work in The Full Monty TV revival (2023) underscores his talent for blending grit with pathos.
Carlyle based Victor on real corporate whistleblower testimonies. “He’s not a monster—he’s a product of a broken system,” he explains. A vocal supporter of homeless charities, Carlyle brings haunting depth to Glenvale’s antagonist.
3- Rory Kinnear as Mayor Richard Darrow
Rory Kinnear (born February 17, 1978), a stalwart of stage and screen (James Bond, Penny Dreadful), delivers a masterclass in moral decay as Mayor Darrow. Kinnear’s Shakespearean training (he’s an RSC veteran) infuses Darrow’s political spin with tragic grandeur. His TV roles in Years and Years (2019) and Black Mirror (“Crocodile”) highlight his knack for ethical complexity.
Kinnear also penned episodes, weaving his fascination with institutional failure into the script. Off-screen, he champions mental health initiatives, mirroring Darrow’s hidden struggles.
4- Jodie Whittaker as Dr. Helen Morrow
Jodie Whittaker (born June 17, 1982), the trailblazing Doctor Who star, transforms into Helen, a single mother and epidemiologist racing to cure Glenvale’s mysterious illness. Whittaker’s grounded intensity—honed in Broadchurch and Attack the Block—fuels Helen’s desperation as she battles bureaucracy and her own crumbling health.
A STEM advocate, Whittaker consulted real epidemiologists for authenticity. “Helen’s fight isn’t just medical—it’s maternal,” she says. Her post-Who resurgence includes Time (2023) and One Night (2024), but Toxic Town showcases her rawest performance yet.
5- Claudia Jessie as Kayla Trent
Claudia Jessie (born October 30, 1989), beloved as Bridgerton’s Eloise, strips away Regency glamour to play Kayla, a tenacious journalist risking everything for the truth. Jessie’s TV range—from Vanity Fair’s Amelia to Wreck’s (2022) chaotic lead—prepares her for Kayla’s arc from idealist to guerrilla reporter.
Detail: Toxic Town: Cast, Trailer, Premiere Date, First Looks
Jessie immersed herself in investigative journalism docs for the role. “Kayla’s not a hero—she’s addicted to the story,” she notes. Privately, Jessie supports animal shelters and rarely discusses her personal life, adding to her enigmatic allure.
6- Lauren Lyle as Marcie Cooper
Lauren Lyle (born March 1992), Outlander’s fiery Marsali, ignites the screen as Marcie, a punk activist leading Glenvale’s youth revolt. Lyle’s indie film work (Tell It to the Bees) and crime drama Karen Pirie (2022) showcase her rebellious spirit, channeled here into Marcie’s Molotov charisma.
A LGBTQ+ rights advocate, Lyle pushed for Marcie’s queer storyline. “She’s a spark in the darkness,” Lyle says. Her chemistry with Wood’s Erin fuels the series’ most electric moments.
7- Joe Dempsie as Tom “Axe” Axelrod
Joe Dempsie (born June 22, 1987), Game of Thrones’ Gendry, trades hammers for heartbreak as Axe, a disillusioned firefighter hiding a terminal diagnosis. Dempsie’s post-Thrones work in Skins and Deep State (2018) reveals his talent for brooding intensity, perfect for Axe’s self-destructive heroism.
Dempsie shadowed firefighters in Manchester for research. “Axe isn’t saving lives—he’s escaping his own,” he says. An environmental activist, he ties Axe’s arc to climate grief.
8- Brendan Coyle as Frank Boyle
Brendan Coyle (born December 2, 1963), Downton Abbey’s Mr. Bates, breaks hearts as Frank, a retired steelworker dying of cancer linked to the toxins. Coyle’s stage roots (The Weir) ground Frank’s quiet rage, while North & South (2004) and Lark Rise to Candleford echo his working-class authenticity.
Coyle, a mental health advocate, based Frank on his grandfather. “His silence screams louder than any protest,” he says. A haunting swan song for the veteran actor.
9- Stephen McMillan as Ted
Stephen McMillan (emerging talent), a Glasgow School of Art alum, stuns as Ted, a stuttering teen whose viral protest videos expose Greyson’s crimes. McMillan’s stage work in The Cheviot, the Stag and the Black, Black Oil (2022) informs Ted’s raw vulnerability.
“Ted’s voice is shaky, but his message isn’t,” McMillan says. A newcomer to watch.
10- Matthew Durkan as DI Colin Hart
Matthew Durkan (theatre actor), known for The Crown’s press secretary, unnerves as DI Hart, a cop torn between duty and conscience. Durkan’s Line of Duty (2021) cameo and stage roles (The Crucible) hint at his ability to embody moral ambiguity.
Durkan’s DI Hart becomes Glenvale’s ticking time bomb. “He’s a man drowning in red tape,” he says.
12- Michael Socha as Dex Morgan
Michael Socha (born December 13, 1985), Being Human’s werewolf Tom, smolders as Dex, a biker with ties to Greyson’s underworld. Socha’s roles in Once Upon a Time in Wonderland and Papicha (2023) showcase his roguish charm, twisted here into Dex’s dangerous allure.
Dyslexic himself, Socha mentors teens with learning disabilities. “Dex’s illiteracy is his armor,” he explains.
13- Simon Harrison as Mick Palmer
Simon Harrison (Hollyoaks’s Sami Maalik), a rising soap star, surprises as Mick, Greyson’s whistleblower. Harrison’s legal drama background (The Split) informs Mick’s calculated risk-taking.
“Mick’s not a saint—he’s saving himself,” Harrison says. A breakout role for the actor.
Why Toxic Town Resonates
With its stellar cast and unflinching look at corporate malfeasance, Toxic Town is more than a drama—it’s a rallying cry. Stream it on Netflix starting February 27, 2025.
