There are some TV dramas that quite literally stop us in our tracks and one of those is the BBC’s upcoming series, The Bombing of Pan Am 103. From the producers of Line of Duty, the drama will tell the harrowing real-life story of the bombing of a passenger flight over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988 – and if you don’t already know about it, we think you should.
The tragic event, which was the worst ever terror attack on British soil, killed 270 people and for the families who lost loved ones, the devastation didn’t end there. The series will follow the untold story of the Scots-US investigation into the attack and the devastating effect it had on the small town and the bereaved families.
With the series due to arrive on the BBC very soon, here’s everything you need to know about it, including the plot, cast and how to watch it.
What is The Bombing of Pan Am 103 about?
Made by World Productions, the production company behind Line of Duty and Anne, the six-part series is based on the true story of the bombing of a passenger flight over the Scottish town of Lockerbie in 1988 and the quest to bring its perpetrators to justice. If you’re not familiar with the story, on 21st December 1988, flight Pan Am 103 was travelling from Heathrow to JFK when a bomb exploded in its hold over Lockerbie. 270 people were killed, including 43 British citizens and 190 Americans.
It was the worst ever terror attack on British soil and the first major act of terrorism against US citizens. The series will cover the attack itself and follow the untold story of the Scots-US investigation into it, and the devastating effect it had on the small town and the families who lost loved ones.
According to the official synopsis, "From the initial exhaustive search for evidence on the ground in Scotland, via the US and Malta to the trial at Camp Zeist in 2000, the series leads up to the forthcoming new trial in the US. The Bombing of Pan Am 103 also highlights the human impact on the investigators, the families and the Lockerbie community as it sought to rebuild and connect with bereaved families around the world."
You can watch the trailer, which includes the first clip of The Bombing of Pan Am 103’s soundtrack, composed by the award-winning Scottish band Mogwai, below…
Is The Bombing of Pan Am 103 based on a true story?
As you’ve probably gathered by now, yes it is. The project was developed by filmmaker Adam Morane-Griffiths whose research includes extensive interviews with Scottish police officers and representatives from United States investigative agencies, many of whom have never previously shared their stories.
We also know that producers and writers spoke to many of the families and loved ones of the victims to inform the series. According to the BBC, "Their stories revealed the impact the bombing had on their lives and the heroic activism that followed - resulting in lasting change to the way authorities approached security, safety and duty of care towards those involved in mass fatality incidents."
Who's starring in The Bombing of Pan Am 103?
The cast of The Bombing of Pan Am 103 includes:
- Connor Swindells (SAS Rogue Heroes, Sex Education)
- Patrick J. Adams (Suits, A League of Their Own)
- Merritt Wever (Unbelievable, Severance)
- Peter Mullan (Ozark, Payback)
- Tony Curran (Mary & George, Mayflies)
- Eddie Marsan (The Power, Ray Donovan)
- Nicholas Gleaves (After The Flood, The Rising)
- Kevin McKidd (Grey’s Anatomy, Six Four)
- Douglas Hodge (The Great, Catastrophe)
- Lauren Lyle (Karen Pirie, Vigil)
- Andrew Rothney (The Undeclared War, Traces)
- Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey, Guilt)
- Cora Bissett (Annika, Shetland)
- Parker Sawyers (Spy/Master, P-Valley)
- James Harkness (The Sixth Commandment, The Victim)
- Molly Geddes (Dinosaur, Where We Stop)
- Khalid Laith (Vigil, Cobra)
- Amanda Drew (The Gold, Wolf)
How can I watch The Bombing of Pan Am 103?
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 will be available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer and from 9pm on Sunday 18th May. It will also be available to watch on Netflix globally at a later date.
