The Bombing of Pan Am 103: Dramatisation of 'devastating' 1988 terrorist attack and its 'human impact' to stream on Netflix
It was praised for its attention to historical detail and its emotional core
The Bombing of Pan Am 103, BBC One’s highly-acclaimed factual drama, arrives on Netflix this week for those who missed it when it first aired in May 2025.
The dramatised documentary recreates the horrifying 1988 terrorist attack. It returns to that day 38 years ago, when a transatlantic flight was destroyed by a bomb. The plane was flying over the Scottish town of Lockerbie at the time, and the tragedy killed everyone on board as well as several residents of the town.
The upcoming series is based on the true story of the bombing, and the fight to bring its perpetrators to justice… Here’s everything you need to know about The Bombing of Pan Am 103 on Netflix, which previously aired on BBC One. Here’s the true story it’s based on, how many episodes it is, and the impressive cast list.
Is The Bombing of Pan Am 103 drama based on a true story?
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is tragically based on a true story. The factual drama recreates the 1988 terrorist attack, when a transatlantic flight was blown up mid-flight. At the time the device went off, the plane was flying over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie.
A synopsis explains: “The series follows the untold story of the Scots-US investigation into the attack and the devastating effect it had on the small town and the families who lost loved ones.
“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.”
It continued: “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.”
What happened on the Pan Am 103 flight? How many died?
On 21 December 1988, the regularly scheduled flight Pan Am 103 – the Boeing 747 also called the Clipper Maid of the Seas – was en route from Heathrow to JFK. Shortly after 7pm, a bomb exploded in its hold over the small Scottish town of Lockerbie. The explosion killed 270 people in total, including 43 British citizens, 190 Americans, and innocent people from 21 countries.
The bomb killed all 259 people aboard the plane, including 243 passengers and 16 crew. Large sections of the aircraft crashed onto a residential street in Lockerbie below, killing 11 residents.
At the time, it was the worst ever terror attack on British soil and the first major act of terrorism against US citizens. It subsequently became known as the Lockerbie bombing.
Until 9/11, it was one of the world’s most lethal acts of air terrorism and one of the largest and most complex acts of international terrorism ever investigated by the FBI.
A judge eventually convicted Abdulbasset Al Megrahi of the bombing. It was planned on behalf of the Libyan intelligence service.
Were the victims’ families consulted about TV drama?
Filmmaker Adam Morane-Griffiths developed the drama The Bombing of Pan Am 103. His research included “extensive interviews” with Scottish police officers and representatives from US investigative agencies. For many, it’s the first time they have shared their stories.
Producers and writers also spoke to many of the families and loved ones of the victims.
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.
Where was the drama The Bombing of Pan Am 103 filmed?
Filming for The Bombing of Pan Am 103 took place on location in Scotland, Malta and Toronto.
In Scotland, filming took place in Bathgate, Linlithgow, Bo’ness, and Glasgow.
The Friars Brae area of Linlithgow was also used for filming, as was Dumfries, Galloway, and Lockerbie itself.
Who’s in the cast?
The cast of The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is led by some very reliable faces from the world of TV, not least Connor Swindells, Eddie Marsan and Peter Mullan.
Connor Swindells stars as DS Ed McCusker, the investigating officer. The Lewes-born actor is best known for his roles in SAS Rogue Heroes, Sex Education, Vigil, and Scoop.
Canadian-American actor Patrick J. Adams stars as Dick Marquise. He’s famous for playing the charming Mike Ross in Meghan Markle drama Suits.
Tony Curran portrays Harry Bell. The Glaswegian actor starred as Sgt. Pete Twamley in Ross Kemp military drama Ultimate Force, and Datak Tarr in Defiance.
The always brilliant Eddie Marsan portrays Tom Thurman. Eddie recently played a baddie in Reunion, but is also known for his leading roles in The Thief, His Wife and the Canoe, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell, and Ray Donovan.
Scotsman Peter Mullan stars as John Orr, and he’s known for his roles in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Mum, Ozark, and The Fixer.
Meanwhile, Downton Abbey actress Phyllis Logan stars as Moira Shearer, Karen Pirie‘s Lauren Lyle plays June McCusker, Ellis‘ Amanda Drew portrays Linda Burman, and Severance’s Merritt Wever plays Kathryn Turman.
Lastly, After the Flood’s Nicholas Gleaves plays Allen Faraday, Grey’s Anatomy star Kevin McKidd portrays Tom McCulloch, and The Great’s Douglas Hodge is DS Stuart Henderson.
Who else stars in the drama The Bombing of Pan Am 103?
The huge ensemble cast of The Bombing of Pan Am 103 also includes:
The Spanish Princess’ Andrew Rothney stars as DS Willie Armstrong.
Shetland actress Cora Bissett plays Elma Pringle.
Red Eye star Parker Sawyers portrays Phil Reid.
Silent Witness‘ James Harkness is Sandy Gay.
Dinosaur star Molly Geddes portrays WP Lauren Aitken.
Slow Horses‘ Khalid Laith portrays Giaka.
Armin Karima stars as Khaled Jaafar.
Avin Shah – aka Hiram in The Girlfriend Experience – plays Jaswant Basuta.
Treason’s Alex Magliaro portrays Frank Cuilla.
Plano’s Rosie Yates is Rose Grant.
Newcomer Cameron Mullane stars as Tim Burman.
River City’s Lyra Jackson plays Lynne McCusker.
Etta Jackson, also a star of River City, is Fiona McCusker.
The Farm’s Gareth Morrison stars as Thomas Flannigan.
Rain Dogs’ Archie McCormick plays Steven Flannigan.
Casualty’s Ryan J Mackay is PC Gibson.
The Control Room’s Beth Marshall stars as Margaret Connell.
Philip Cairns, who also appeared in Lockerbie with Colin Firth, plays David Jardine.
The Outlaws’ Adrian Lukis portrays Roy Burman.
The Serpent’s Adam Rothenberg is Neil Gallagher.
The Stolen Girl‘s Finlay Robertson plays Mick Charles.
Theodosia actress Estrid Barton stars as Ella Ramsden.
Beyond Paradise star John Hollingworth is Seymour.
The Wee Man’s Andrew Marley stars as David Flannigan.
Taggart’s Andrew Byatt plays Rev Alan Neal.
Screw’s Marianne McIvor is Mrs Harley.
Novelist and screenwriter Jonathan Lee was the creator and lead writer.
How many episodes is it?
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is six episodes, with each instalment an hour long.
The series was made by World Productions, who were behind Line of Duty, Anne, and United.
When’s the start date? How can I watch it?
The series streams on Netflix from Thursday, July 3o, 2026.
It previously aired on BBC One in May 2025, but is not longer available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
What is The Bombing of Pan Am 103’s soundtrack?
The original soundtrack of The Bombing of Pan Am 103 was composed by the award-winning Scottish band Mogwai.
The post-rock band are known for their original songs for TV shows including Black Bird, ZeroZeroZero, The Returned, and Kin.
The band were formed in 1995, and consists of Stuart Braithwaite (guitar, vocals), Barry Burns (guitar, piano, synthesizer, vocals), Dominic Aitchison (bass guitar), and Martin Bulloch (drums).
They are are known for their songs Take Me Somewhere Nice, Kids Will Be Skeletons, and Ritchie Sacramento.
Are there other TV shows about the Lockerbie disaster?
There have been multiple documentaries and TV shows about the Pan Am tragedy over the years, most recently Lockerbie: A Search for Truth.
The limited TV drama series, directed by Otto Bathurst and Jim Loach, was based on the 2021 book The Lockerbie Bombing: A Father’s Search for Justice by Jim Swire and Peter Biddulph.
It focused on longstanding claims that the only man found guilty of bombing Pan Am 103 was innocent. The production provoked fierce criticism from relatives of American victims. This was primarily because it did not mention that the conviction of Abdulbasset Al Megrahi for murdering 270 people was upheld twice on appeal.
In 2001, after an eight-month trial, Scottish judges convicted Megrahi of bombing the plane while acting with other members of the Libyan intelligence service.
Lockerbie: A Search for Truth starred Colin Firth as Swire, who embarked on a quest for justice after his daughter, Flora, died on Pan Am Flight 103. It is currently available to watch on Sky Atlantic and Now.
Reviews of the drama The Bombing of Pan Am 103
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 was largely met with good reviews. Radio Times praised the series’ “attention to historical detail and its emotional core”. Critic James Hibbs said: “The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is a drama which is not without fault, but which impressively never loses sight of the emotional core of its storytelling. It’s a story many will already know the basics of, but few will be aware of all of the details featured in this impressively researched drama, which really does take on an enormous storytelling challenge.”
The Guardian’s Jack Seale wasn’t so keen, writing: “This kind, cheesy Lockerbie show just doesn’t work as TV. It was an act of terrorism that rocked the world. But though this well meaning BBC drama has some startling and impressive moments, it mainly forgets to actually find any drama.”
The Arts Desk added: “Despite the varied talents on display, the show lacks much sense of narrative light-and-shade, and proceeds at a stately and rather dull pace.”
