Harry Potter and The Crown legends star in first look at “extraordinary” drama about real-life British water companies’ sewage scandal

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Channel 4 is creating a new factual drama called Dirty Business. The same team that made their popular 2023 drama, Partygate, is working on it.

This new three-part series reveals the results of a ten-year investigation into England’s water companies. It shares the true stories of people who came forward with concerns, and those whose lives were negatively impacted by polluted water.

They just dropped a couple of first-look photos, and I’m already excited! I spotted some familiar faces – David Thewlis, who I loved as Remus Lupin in Harry Potter, Jason Watkins from The Crown, and Asim Chaudhry, who’s hilarious in Tinsel Town. It’s a great cast, and these pictures have definitely got me looking forward to the movie!

Dirty Business is a detective series about two unexpected partners who discover that fish are dying in the river near their peaceful village in Oxfordshire. When they ask the local water company for answers, the company’s odd and unhelpful response leads them to an investigation that’s still happening.

Thewlis will portray Ash, a former police detective and worried resident of a small Oxfordshire town, who discovers his local river is becoming more and more polluted.

Watkins will portray Peter, his neighbor, who is a Computational Biology professor. Peter uses his scientific expertise and detective skills to discover that the local sewage treatment plant isn’t working properly and is illegally releasing untreated waste into nearby rivers and streams.

Chaudhry will play Mickey, a sewage plant worker who secretly provides information about major problems to Ash and Peter.

The series also tells the heartbreaking true story of the Preen family, who were devastated when their 8-year-old daughter, Heather, died from an E. coli 0157 infection.

Heather was playing on a beach that had been affected by a storm a few days prior, where a drainpipe released waste into the ocean. Her parents, the Preens, believe she died after being exposed to this untreated sewage.

The film also tells the story of Reuben, a young surfer who believes he developed a long-term illness, Meniere’s disease, from surfing in contaminated water, dramatically altering his life.

The series will also star Posy Sterling, a nominee for the EE Rising Star Award at this year’s BAFTAs, alongside Tom McKay, Jon Culshaw, Vicki Pepperdine, Craig Parkinson, Charlotte Ritchie, Chanel Cresswell, Lucia Keskin, and Alex Jennings.

David Thewlis was surprised by the story’s revelation of how much wrongdoing had been ignored. He explained that it centers on two average guys who discover negligence, illegal pollution, and a lack of concern from a corporation – things that should have been stopped long ago.

Honestly, working on this series felt incredibly powerful. It gave me a way to express the real anger and frustration so many of us feel about the damage done to our rivers and towns. More than that, it highlighted the bravery of those who are fighting for change and demanding those responsible be held accountable. It wasn’t just about documenting a problem, it was about celebrating the courage to actually do something about it.

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Watkins explained she was drawn to the series because of its realistic and relatable story. She appreciated that it focused on everyday people who stand up for what’s right, even when it’s difficult.

Dirty Business powerfully shows the quiet strength it takes to challenge powerful institutions, and it felt crucial to highlight the very real human consequences of environmental harm and corporate carelessness.

Chaudhry shared what attracted him to the role: the bravery required to challenge a flawed system. He was drawn to the character’s mix of anger, frustration, and strong sense of duty, and wanted to portray the human element of fighting for what’s right, even when it could have personal consequences.

Dirty Business will air on Channel 4.

Authors

James HibbsDrama Writer

James Hibbs writes about TV dramas for TopMob, covering shows on streaming services and traditional channels. Before becoming a writer, he worked in public relations, first at a business-to-business agency and then at Fremantle, a major international TV production company. He has a BA degree in English and Theatre Studies, and a Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.

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2026-01-15 22:35