Channel 4's gripping new drama series, "Dirty Business," has left viewers deeply shocked and outraged within just minutes of its premiere episode airing. The show, which aired tonight, dramatises the real-life decade-long investigation by former detective Ash Smith and his neighbour, university professor Peter Hammond, into the questionable practices of water companies across the UK.
A Tragic True Story Unfolds
The series is based on the painstaking work of Smith and Hammond, who began their probe after noticing fish dying in the river near their idyllic Oxfordshire hamlet. Their inquiries to the local water company were met with strange and evasive replies, sparking an investigation that remains ongoing to this day, with assistance from whistleblowers.
Star-Studded Cast Brings Real Events to Life
"Dirty Business" features a notable cast, including Harry Potter actor David Thewlis, who portrays concerned citizen and former police detective Ash Smith. Jason Watkins, known for roles in "McDonald & Dodds" and "The Crown," plays Peter Hammond, the professor neighbour who joins the investigation.
The first episode of this three-part series delivered a devastating narrative, focusing on the heartbreaking story of the Preen family. Their eight-year-old daughter, Heather, tragically died from E. Coli 0157 after playing on a beach contaminated by raw sewage, a case that highlights systemic failures in water management.
Viewer Reactions: Anger and Calls for Change
Audiences watching at home were quick to share their horrified reactions on social media platform X, expressing fury over the revelations.
- One viewer commented: "Of all the things to privatise, #DirtyBusiness is perfectly exposing why water should never, ever have been! Shocking behaviour!"
- Another drew parallels to other scandals, stating: "Post Office 2.0 this! #DirtyBusiness"
- A third viewer emphasised the tragedy: "The death of Heather Preen alone should have been enough for real change to begin. But 27 years later it's got much worse. The system has failed on this. #DirtyBusiness."
Further reactions praised the series as "harrowing and tragic" and essential viewing, with one viewer urging others to catch up on the episode and check real-time sewage levels in local rivers using online maps.
Broader Implications and Ongoing Investigations
The drama not only recounts past events but underscores ongoing issues with water company behaviour, privatisation, and environmental safety. Smith and Hammond's decade of digging has brought to light practices that continue to affect communities, making "Dirty Business" a timely and provocative addition to Channel 4's lineup.
As the series progresses, it promises to delve deeper into the complexities of corporate accountability and the human cost of negligence, resonating with viewers concerned about public health and environmental integrity.
