Harborough Actor Stars In Gripping New TV Drama

Market Harborough actor Posy Sterling stars in a gripping new TV drama exploring the impact of sewage-polluted water on families and communities.

Dirty Business, airing tonight on Channel 4, is based on a decade-long investigation into England’s water companies.

Posy told HFM she plays Julie Preen, whose eight-year-old daughter died after contracting E. coli 0157 at a Devon beach, following discharges from a nearby storm pipe:

Actress Posy Sterling who is playing Julie in the C4 drama (Image: Rob Baker Ashton / Channel 4)

The star-studded cast includes David Thewlis, Jason Watkins and Asim Chaudhry.

Speaking about the role, Posy added she immersed herself in Julie’s story. “I had to play this as honestly as I could,” Posy said. “Tom McKay, who plays Julie’s husband Mark, and I have been on such a journey with this. We’ve worked with a wonderful team, and Heather has really been at the core of this story.”

Actress Posy Sterling who is playing Julie in the C4 drama (Image: Rob Baker Ashton / Channel 4)

The three-part drama series has been compared to Mr Bates vs the Post Office, which highlighted the Horizon scandal.

Posy explains her commitment to projects like this: “When real people are at the heart of a story, it brings a responsibility. These are uncomfortable conversations, but they can open doors to change, and I want to help be a part of that.”

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 bring both integrity and depth to this issue, an issue affecting millions across the UK.”

Dirty Business airs tonight at 9pm tonight on Channel 4.

• Posy missed out on the Rising Star prize at last night’s BAFTA Film Awards, where she had been nominated for her performance in the British film Lollipop — but said it was an honour to make the short-list.