Telling the story of the U.K. water pollution scandal, the factual three-part drama Dirty Business has been commissioned by Channel 4.
The series, based on a 10-year investigation into U.K. water companies, will tell the true stories of whistleblowers and victims at the heart of the scandal. It stars David Thewlis, Jason Watkins, and Asim Chaudhry, among others. It is produced by Halcyon’s Heart, the team that produced Channel 4’s Partygate in 2023.
Alisa Pomeroy, head of documentaries and factual entertainment, and Rita Daniels, commissioning editor for Channel 4, said: “Dirty Business tells an extraordinary, urgent story about what happens when ordinary people decide to challenge a system that has failed them. This series exposes a scandal hiding in plain sight, combining rigorous investigation with powerful human storytelling. Our incredible cast brings both integrity and depth to this issue, an issue affecting millions across the U.K.”
Joseph Bullman, writer and director, added: “Channel 4 was the only broadcaster that could have made Partygate, and its decision to commission Dirty Business is just as brave because it explores corporate law breaking, and a national scandal which, in terms of the amounts of money extracted from the British public, has the potential to dwarf other scandals which have come to light in recent years.”
Producer Laura McCutcheon noted, “This series gives a voice to the thousands of people up and down the country who have endured immense suffering as a result of the water companies’ illegal sewage dumping. Time and time again, the victims of sewage pollution have been ignored, misled, or had their suffering brushed under the carpet. This series shines a light on their experiences, and demands accountability and change from the water companies and regulator.”
