A trailer and first look images for a gripping new Netflix drama series filmed in Greater Manchester have been released.
Viewers are being given a teaser of what to expect before it airs next week.
Produced by Charlie Brooker and Annabelle Jones, and based on one of the UK’s biggest environmental scandals, Toxic Town tells the story of the people at the heart of the 2009 Corby poisonings, that started decades ago in the 1980s, and focuses on a group of mothers who took on a David and Goliath-style battle for justice.
The four-part series written by acclaimed screenwriter, Jack Thorne, traces the years of the mothers’ fight and watches as a terrible truth comes to the surface.
Jodie Whittaker, Aimee Lou Wood and Claudia Jessie star in TOXIC TOWN. Premiering 27 February.
Based on the true story of one of the UK’s biggest environmental scandals, the limited series follows a group of mothers fighting to bring a terrible truth to surface and justice for… pic.twitter.com/HgRoUKBIod
The cast of the new drama is seriously star-studded, with local Northern actors Jodie Whittaker – best known for Doctor Who and Broadchurch – and Stockport-born Aimee Lou Wood – who is best known for the Netflix series Sex Education, as well as the BBC sitcom Daddy Issues, and is currently starring in the third series of HBO’s The White Lotus – taking on the lead roles.
ADVERTISEMENT
Robert Carlyle, Brendan Coyle, and Rory Kinnear are some of the other famous names playing pivotal roles in the show, alongside Bridgerton’s Claudia Jessie, Game of Thrones’ and Skins’ Joe Dempsey, and This is England’s Michael Socha.
New star-studded drama series Toxic Town airs on Netflix next week/ Credit: Netflix UK & Ireland
Show creator Jack Thorne called it the “cast of dreams”.
ADVERTISEMENT
“I couldn’t believe that we were able to get these people, and that they were prepared to be part of this story,” he commented. “And boy, did they all deliver.”
“Each of them just brought something new that I’d never seen them do before,” Thorne teased ahead of the show’s air. “And when you’re with a cast that’s doing that consistently, it’s so exciting to watch and it’s so beautiful.”
Despite the story being set in the Northamptonshire town of Corby, the majority of this new series was actually filmed here in Greater Manchester – primarily in Bolton.
ADVERTISEMENT
Over the last decade or so, Bolton has developed a ‘Hollywood of the North’ nickname as the town’s centre and wider borough’s historic buildings and architecture, and striking rural landscapes, have become a favourite for production crews looking to replicate other well-known worldwide locations such as London, New York, and even Moscow.
Camera crews for popular TV shows such as Peaky Blinders, Happy Valley, It’s A Sin, Brassic, The Stranger, Fool Me Once, and A Gentleman in Moscow have all rolled into the town in recent times.
Toxic Town lands on streaming platform Netflix on Thursday 27 February.
Featured Image – Netflix UK & Ireland
TV & Showbiz
Channel 4’s The Dog House is looking for people who want to adopt dogs in Manchester
Daisy Jackson
If you’ve always wanted to rescue a dog and provide a forever home to an animal in need, this might be your sign – Channel 4 is looking for Mancs to take part in the next series of The Dog House.
The programme is looking for local applicants who may be thinking of adopting a rescue dog, with rescue centres around Greater Manchester feeling the strain.
Rehoming charities have said they’re facing an unprecedented surge in demand.
So now the BAFTA-nominated show The Dog House is keen to hear from people in Manchester who are interested in rehoming a dog, particularly individuals and families with touching, heartfelt reasons for wanting to rehome.
Whether you’re a first-time dog owner, a family looking for a new companion, or looking for a new furry friend for your existing pets, The Dog House and its chosen rescue shelter can help.
The show launched in 2019 and is filmed at Woodgreen Pets Charity, shining a light and raising awareness for the joys and realities of rescuing dogs.
Channel 4’s The Dog House is looking for people to adopt dogs in Manchester
Around 90% of dog owners say their pet improves their life, 86% report being physically healthier, and 88% say it benefits their mental wellbeing, according to data shared by Channel 4.
Channel 4 has said that more than 47,000 people contacted Dogs Trust about giving up their dogs last year alone, with the RSPCA reporting that the number of dogs in their care has doubled since 2020.
The Dog House team is now seeking people in Manchester who may be thinking about adopting a rescue dog – whether for companionship, support, wellbeing, or simply the joy of bringing a four-legged friend into their life.
If you or someone you know is considering adopting a dog, you can apply HERE or email [email protected].
The full lineup for the Strictly Live tour has been revealed
Danny Jones
Yes, ballroom lovers, it’s here: the full lineup of dancers for the ‘Strictly Come Dancing Live’ tour has finally and officially been revealed.
It feels like fans have been waiting ages to find out the entire roster for the Strictly Live tour next year, with only limited waves having been released thus far.
However, the patience has paid off, and we now know who’ll be starring both on the stage and on down on the floors of some of Britain’s most beloved venues, including our very own AO Arena.
You can see the latest raft of additions down below.
As you can see, the final four couples who complete the next Strictly Live tour lineup for 2026 are social media personality George Clarke, Emmerdale face Lewis Cope, former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, and another actor in Layton Williams.
This quality quartet will be paired up with Alexis Warr, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley and Nikita Kuzmin, respectively; it has already been confirmed that much-loved trio Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood will be returning as judges, with Janette Manrara remaining as host.
Strictly‘s still ongoing season – the 23rd in the show’s history – is due to conclude this weekend, following the final on Saturday night (20 December), and it remains to be seen which of the current cast will be crowned champion, with several of those above and below now signed up for the live tour.
The rest of the Strictly Live dancers for 2026 here:
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey aka ‘Nitro’
Alex Kingston
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Balvinder Sopal
George Clarke
La Voix
Chris Robshaw
Ellie Goldstein
Thomas Skinner
Vicky Pattison
Stefan Dennis
Ross King
Karen Carney
Lewis Cope
Amber Davies
It isn’t guaranteed that each of these contestants will be taking part in EVERY single one of the tour dates, but either way, you’ve still got ‘The Professionals’ to come next spring, too.
The annual Strictly Come Dancing UK tour has become a firm fan favourite, not only among die-hard viewers of the BBC show but lovers of live entertainment in general.
Manchester, Leeds, Sheffield and others confirmed the dates for their live shows earlier this year, with the AO set to host the two days’ worth of moves across Saturday, 31 January and Sunday, 1 February.
Hosting both normal evening shows as well as matinee slots, it’s simply up to you at what time of day you fancy panto-booing Craig…
If you’re interested in securing tickets for the typically fabulous festivals, you can grab yours HERE.
Emily Sergeant -
18th February 2025 
