Buried with Michael Sheen will see the Welsh actor explore claims relating to a decades-long environmental scandal affecting his homeland and the wider UK over two episodes.
Coming to BBC Two, BBC One Wales and iPlayer on 17 August, the documentary series continues the story first told in the 2024 audio documentary, Buried: The Last Witness.
Buried with Michael Sheen will be broadcast on BBC Two, BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer
The award-winning BBC podcast centred on the work of environmental whistleblower Douglas Gowan.
After decades spent trying to raise the alarm about toxic chemicals dumped near farmland in south Wales in the 1960s, Gowan recorded his final testimony - just months before his death - with Sheen in 2017.
Sheen is joined by investigative journalists Dan Ashby and Lucy Taylor in his pursuit of the truth, with the probe leading to them working with leading environmental and forensic scientists, as well as speaking to residents living near toxic sites.
We have been involved in this story since the original podcast series. We funded testing carried out by RSC member Dr Dave Megson, of Manchester Metropolitan University and our Environmental Policy Group, which was featured on the podcast.
That testing uncovered levels of banned PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) in shop-bought fish so high they breached official health advice — and in one instance broke the law.
For Sheen, the story gives the Welshman a chance to explore the impact of chemical pollution on his homeland.
Buried also reflects the problematic persistence that came with - and can still come with - some commonly used chemicals as they interact with our bodies and our environment.
A story that shows why chemicals regulation needs to change
For us, Buried is more than a dramatic story — it's a case study in why the UK's approach to chemicals regulation needs to change. We're campaigning for:
- closer coordination between government bodies, including between Westminster and the devolved administrations, so that chemicals, waste and environmental regulation don't operate in silos
- a regulatory approach that accounts for the full lifecycle of chemicals from manufacture to use and end of life
- new, legally binding drinking water standards for PFAS, also know as 'forever chemicals'
- upcoming water reforms that better protect people and the environment from chemical pollution, including contaminants of emerging concern (CECs), through improved monitoring and action to prevent pollution at source.
- a genuine 'polluter pays' system, so companies - not taxpayers - cover the cost of cleaning up contamination.
Our policy adviser Stephanie Metzger was featured on the original podcast, drawing on her expertise in chemicals management to help inform the series.
Get the full story
- The first episode of Buried with Michael Sheen will air on 17 August at 9pm on BBC Two, BBC One Wales and BBC iPlayer.
- Buried: The Last Witness is available to listen now on BBC Radio 4 and BBC Sounds.