Netflix has confirmed that its six-part limited series The Bombing of Pan Am 103, which chronicles the largest murder investigation in Scottish policing history, will stream from July 30. The drama originally aired on BBC One in May 2025 and has been praised by viewers as 'remarkable' and 'heartbreaking'.
Deadliest Terror Attack on British Soil
The series examines the December 21, 1988, destruction of Pan Am Flight 103 over the Scottish town of Lockerbie. The aircraft, en route from Frankfurt to Detroit with stopovers in London and New York, was destroyed by an explosive device, killing all 243 passengers and 16 crew members. Falling wreckage also killed 11 people on the ground, bringing the total death toll to 270. This remains the deadliest terrorist attack in UK history and one of the worst in Europe.
Two Parallel Investigations
The drama tracks two parallel investigations conducted by British and American authorities. It stars Connor Swindells as Detective Sergeant Ed McCusker, Eddie Marsan as Tom Thurman, and Patrick J Adams (best known for Suits) as FBI Special Agent Dick Marquise. The series focuses on the complex, multi-agency effort to find the culprits.
Critical and Viewer Acclaim
Viewers who watched the original BBC broadcast have left glowing reviews on IMDb. One wrote: 'A remarkable reconstruction... what we got from the outset was a revealing reconstruction of what happens when an airliner falls out of the sky. The overwhelming size and impact of the search area was conveyed in a riveting first episode.' Another commented: 'Excellent cast shine in this sensitive drama... the whole cast is excellent but in particular Connor Swindells and Patrick J Adams as the Scottish Police and FBI leads are tremendous and so believable.'
A third viewer described it as 'heartbreaking,' while another added: 'Very powerful. A wonderfully made and beautifully acted drama based on true events. Respectful and not over-dramatised.'
Previous Adaptations
The Lockerbie bombing has been portrayed in several other productions, including the drama Lockerbie: A Search for Truth starring Colin Firth, and a four-part documentary series simply titled Lockerbie.
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 streams on Netflix from July 30.
