Doctor Who remains one of the best known and most beloved British TV shows. A number of actors have played the iconic character over the course of the show’s 60-year history, including actors like Matt Smith, David Tennant, and Peter Capaldi, with Ncuti Gatwa playing the current iteration. Gatwa took over from actor Jodie Whitaker (not including a brief return from Tennant in 2023), who played Doctor Who from 2017 to 2022.

Prior to taking on the role of the first female Doctor Who, Whitaker was well-known for her role in the critically acclaimed show Broadchurch, which also featured Tennant in a starring role. She has also appeared in projects like Attack the Block (2011) and Venus (2006). Whitaker’s tenure as the lead in Doctor Who was generally well-received, but she has since moved on to tackle other movies and TV shows, including one true-story-inspired show that was just released on Netflix.

Toxic Town Is A Big Hit With Critics

Jodie Whitaker’s New Show Is Off To A Strong Start On Rotten Tomatoes

Toxic Town has debuted to a stunning score on Rotten Tomatoes. Written by Jack Thorne, Toxic Town is based on the true story of the Corby toxic waste incident, following three mothers as they fight for justice due to their town’s shockingly high baby deformity rates. The limited series features Whitaker in a starring role as Susan McIntyre, with Aimee Lou Wood, Robert Carlyle, Rory Kinnear, and Claudia Jessie, among others, rounding out the rest of the cast. The four-episode show was released in its entirety on Netflix on February 27.

Following the show’s release, Rotten Tomatoes now reveals that Toxic Town has debuted to a perfect score of 100%. There are only five reviews for the show listed on the site as of writing, though, and the score could certainly change as more reviews are added. There currently aren’t enough audience reviews for a Popcornmeter score to be generated, but one could begin to take shape over the next few days as more people get a chance to watch the show.

What Toxic Town’s Reviews Mean For The Show

What Critics Are Saying About The Netflix Series

Reviews for the series praise the strong performances from the Toxic Town cast, as well as the ways in which the show chronicles a harrowing true story. Even though the storytelling itself may not break the mold, the show clearly has plenty of strengths that make it worthwhile viewing. In his Toxic Town review for ScreenRant, Nick Bythrow awards the show seven out of 10, writing that, though the show’s episode count sometimes works against it, the performances and story make up for this:

Aside from this pacing issue in the show’s first half, Toxic Town presents an important story in a serviceable way, with a focus on mothers who fought for their children. This includes strong performances from everyone involved, coupled with important aspects of the real case being presented alongside the dramatized moments.

As a limited series, Toxic Town tells a complete story, meaning the strong critical response won’t be leading to a season 2. The positive debut on Rotten Tomatoes could, however, suggest that the series will strike a chord with viewers and benefit from strong word-of-mouth. It remains to be seen how audiences will respond to Toxic Town, but the series evidently has plenty worth celebrating.

The cast is the hook. Whittaker, post-Time Lord, sinks into Susan with a ferocity that’s “fiery, lairy,” per RT’s consensus—her Broadchurch chops in full swing. Wood, of Sex Education fame, breaks hearts as Tracey, whose baby dies days after birth, while Jessie’s Maggie (Bridgerton) brings steely resolve. Kinnear’s Des Collins, the lawyer, and Carlyle’s whistleblower Sam Hagen (a fictional twist on real insiders) add heft, with Brendan Coyle’s slimy council boss Roy Thomas a perfect foil. “British screen royalty,” critics crow, and X agrees: “Whittaker and Wood carry it—emotional dynamite.” It’s no shock—Whittaker’s met Susan’s real-life counterpart, per Tudum, grounding the fury in truth. But some X users grumble: “Great acting, but the story’s too tidy—real life’s uglier.”

That truth-to-fiction line’s where it gets dicey. Toxic Town sticks close to the 2009 High Court win—council negligence proven, £14.6 million paid out in 2010—but it’s not a doc. Names shift (Susan, Tracey, Maggie stand in for real moms), and Roy’s a composite baddie, not a single real figure like Pat Miller. The whistleblower’s invented, the science streamlined—dust and toxins linked to defects, minus the nitty-gritty. “Appropriate righteousness,” RT says, but X splits: “Honors the fight,” one writes, while another snaps, “Glosses over the mess—Hollywood lite.” The real case was a slog—decades, no jail time, some moms cut from payouts (like Tracey). Netflix’s version lands the win, but its pub toast and graveside coda feel neat—too neat for some. “Justice, sure, but no one’s in cuffs,” an X post gripes.

Viewership’s the kicker. By March 4, ScreenRant (Web ID: 2) pegged it at Number 4 on Netflix’s Tudum Global Top 10 (Feb 24-Mar 2), hitting Top 10 in 49 countries—Number 1 in the UK. That’s 9+ million hours watched in a week, per Tudum chatter, dwarfing slower burns like Zero Day. A limited series, it’s done—no Season 2—but its buzz is live. “Global hit,” Collider crows, and X backs it: “Toxic Town’s everywhere—deserves it.” Critics say the 100% fuels word-of-mouth, but audience scores lag—71% on RT’s Popcornmeter, per Collider (Web ID: 13). “Intense, immersive,” fans praise, yet some X takes jab: “Good, not great—overrated at 100%.” It’s a gap—critics swoon, viewers nod but don’t bow.

Why the disconnect? Toxic Town’s a gut-wrencher—babies suffer, moms rage, a town crumbles—but it’s no Baby Reindeer. That 2024 hit mixed raw truth with wild flair; Toxic Town plays straighter, banking on grief and grit. “Enjoyable, saddening, educational,” Digital Spy says, and I’d agree—it’s a four-hour punch, bingeable in a night (I did). But its “universal tale” of underdogs, per RT, can feel formulaic—heroic moms, evil council, courtroom climax. “Too predictable,” an X user shrugs, and pacing dips early, per ScreenRant (Web ID: 5). The cast saves it—Whittaker’s “dynamic,” Wood’s “fine”—but some crave chaos over closure. “Real life didn’t wrap so clean,” another X post notes.

Does the 100% hold? Five reviews is thin—more could dent it, though RT’s small-sample wins often stick (The Battered Bastards kept its 100%). Netflix’s betting big—Thorne’s a draw, Whittaker’s a star, and Corby’s story resonates in a 2025 world of eco-woes (1,287 UK hazardous sites, anyone?). X predicts staying power: “One of 2025’s best—mark it.” But skepticism lingers: “Critics love a cry—wait for the crowd.” At 71% audience, it’s not universal adoration—solid, not stellar.

Toxic Town’s a hit—Number 4 globally, 100% RT, a cast that slays. No Season 2, but its echo’s loud—stream it, feel it, argue it. Whittaker’s crew nails the fight, Thorne crafts the sting, and Corby’s truth cuts deep. Overhyped? Maybe. Unmissable? Damn close. As of March 9, 2025, it’s Netflix’s shiny trophy—perfect for now, prickly forever.