ITV’s McDonald and Dodds was cancelled after four series, but star Jason Watkins has now landed a new role in Channel 4 drama
ITV detective Jason Watkins has bagged a fresh role in a Channel 4 drama, following the abrupt end of the ITV series, McDonald and Dodds.
In McDonald and Dodds, Jason portrayed DS Dodds alongside Tala Gouveia, who played DCI Lauren McDonald, until the series was unexpectedly cancelled.
An ITV spokesperson confirmed the show’s termination at the time, citing that its viewership in season four had not met the necessary targets for its continuation.
However, Jason is now poised to star in Dirty Business, a major new factual drama delving into one of the largest potential corporate scandals in British history.
The drama is rooted in a decade-long investigation into England’s water companies, narrating the real-life stories of whistleblowers and victims who believe their lives have been ruined after exposure to sewage-contaminated water, reports the Express.
Dirty Business traces the journey of two unlikely detectives who notice that the fish in their picturesque Oxfordshire hamlet’s river are dying. Their enquiry to the water company about the cause triggers an odd and elusive response, sparking an investigation that continues to this day.
David Thewlis portrays Ash, a concerned citizen and former police detective from a small Oxfordshire town, who observes that his local river is becoming increasingly polluted.
Ash joins forces with his next-door neighbour, Peter, portrayed by Jason Watkins. Peter, a Professor of Computational Biology, employs scientific methods and investigative expertise to uncover that their neighbourhood sewage treatment facility is failing to process waste properly, regularly releasing raw, untreated effluent into surrounding waterways.
The cast also features Asim Chaudhry as Mickey, a sewage plant employee who blows the whistle on malpractice. Troubled by the incompetence and disregard shown by his employer, he collaborates with Ash and Peter, providing vital insider intelligence about serious operational failures.
The impressive ensemble is rounded out by Posy Sterling, Tom McKay, Vicky Pepperdine, Craig Parkinson, Charlotte Ritchie, Chanel Cresswell, Lucia Keskin, and Alex Jennings.
Jon Culshaw, fresh from his Midsomer Murders appearance, is also set to feature in a guest role.
Discussing his latest character, Jason Watkins explained: “I wanted to be part of this series because of how human and grounded the story is – it’s told through ordinary people who refuse to look away when something isn’t right.
“Dirty Business captures the quiet determination it takes to stand up to a system far bigger than the individual, and shining a light on the real human cost of environmental damage and corporate neglect felt both urgent and important to be part of.”
David Thewlis further commented, “What shocked me about this story was just how much has been allowed to go unchecked – two ordinary men uncovering negligence, illegal pollution, and corporate indifference that should never have been tolerated. Being a part of this series has been a chance to channel the anger and frustration so many feel about what’s been done to our rivers and communities, and to show the courage it takes to stand up and demand accountability.”
Asim Chaudhry also shared his thoughts, saying, “What drew me to this role was the courage it takes to speak out when a system is failing. There’s anger, frustration, and a deep sense of responsibility in the character, and I wanted to bring to life the human side of standing up for what’s right, even if there’s a risk it might come at a personal cost.”
