One of the worst terror attacks to ever take place in the United Kingdom is being explored in a new six-part BBC drama.
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 follows the aftermath of an aircraft exploding and the devastating impact on victims’ relatives and the residents of Lockerbie, the Scottish town where the plane crashed.
Starring Connor Swindells and Eddie Marsan, the drama was predominantly filmed in Scotland but shows the full international efforts made to find justice.
Here’s all you need to know about The Bombing of Pan Am 103.
Is it based on a true story?
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 tells the tragic story of the December 1988 terrorist attack, in which a transatlantic flight was destroyed by a bomb while flying over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, killing everyone on board as well as several residents of the town.
The series follows the joint Scottish and American investigation into the attack and the devastating impact 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 court trials in the search of justice.
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 filming locations
Scotland
Lockerbie
For the most part filming took place outside of Lockerbie out of respect for the locals who were impacted by the tragic events of December 1988. However, producers met with Lockerbie officials and residents ahead of production and were granted permission to film the final memorial scene at Dryfesdale Cemetery, Tundergarth Church and Lockerbie Town Hall.
The Gateside Inn
Located just outside the town of Beith, The Gateside Inn doubles as The Whitehorse Pub where Lockerbie residents are enjoying a Christmas drink when debris from the explosion begins to fall on the village
Prestwick Airport
Glasgow Prestwick Airport doubles up as three international airports as the investigation goes global. Scenes filmed at Prestwick Airport fill in for London Heathrow, New York’s JFK airport and Malta airport.
The Mitchell Library, Glasgow
One of Europe’s largest libraries with over one million items in their collection, The Mitchell Library doubled up as various international locations including Washington’s Capitol Building, and cafés in Bo’Ness and Lockerbie in Scotland.
Hamilton Ice Rink
Located 20 minutes outside of Glasgow, the ice rink is a key filming location as it doubles up as Lockerbie Ice Rink, where the bodies of victims were brought in the immediate aftermath of the attack as local mortuaries were stretched to capacity.
The Town House, Hamilton
Built in 1914, Hamilton’s Town House was used as a filming location to double as the US Consulate.
Glasgow City Chambers
Overlooking George Square, the City Chambers is one of Glasgow’s most prestigious buildings and is open to visitors, with tours of the chambers conducted daily. The location doubles as the Swiss court rooms in The Bombing of Pan Am 103.
Toronto
York University, Toronto
With its sleek modern campus buildings, Toronto’s York University was the perfect filming location to double up as Washington’s FBI headquarters.
25 King Street, Toronto
Located in the heart of Toronto’s financial district, 25 King Street was constructed in the 1930s and was the city’s tallest skyscraper for three decades. In the drama, the location doubled up as Washington’s Capitol Building.
Malta
Grand Master’s Palace Valletta
Constructed over 450 years ago, the Grand Master’s Palace Valletta is now a tourist attraction, allowing visitors to explore the grand state rooms and armouries. It was used as a filming location in The Bombing of Pan Am 103, doubling up as the Auberge De Castille, the government building in Malta.
The Old Armoury, Birgu
Used as a filming location to double up as Malta Police headquarters, The Armoury is one of the earliest buildings constructed in Birgu, Malta, and it was used by the Knights of the Order of St John to store weaponry.
Who is in the cast?
Connor Swindells (Sex Education) as DS Ed McCusker, a Scottish police officer who found himself working on the front line of investigations after the incident and travelling to America to assist in the international operation.
Patrick J Adams (Suits) as Dick Marquise, the FBI officer in charge of the investigation from the American side.
Peter Mullan (The Rings of Power) as D.C.S. John Orr, the person leading the investigation in Scotland and often clashing with his international counterparts.
Eddie Marsan (Back to Black) as Tom Thurman, a bomb disposal expert called upon to help uncover how the attack took place and find the culprits.
Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey) as Moira Shearer, a local resident of Lockerbie who helps to lead the community and return items from the crash site to victims’ relatives.
When is The Bombing of Pan Am 103 on TV?
The harrowing true story will be split across six episodes, with the first airing at 9pm on BBC One this Sunday, May 18.
Episode two will air the following night, with the remaining episodes airing across the next two Sunday and Monday evenings, concluding on Monday, June 2.
All episodes will be available to stream on BBC iPlayer after airing on TV.
Netflix will release The Bombing of Pan Am 103 later in the year for global audiences.
Is there a trailer for The Bombing of Pan Am 103?
Yes and you can check it out below for a taste of the drama to come.