The Bombing of Pan Am 103 transforms one of the late 20th century's most significant aviation disasters into a carefully constructed investigative drama. The six-part series centers on the aftermath of Pan Am Flight 103's destruction over Lockerbie, and on how Scottish police and U.S. investigators collaborated across borders to find those responsible. Connor Swindells heads the cast as Detective Ed McCusker, while Patrick J. Adams portrays FBI investigator Dick Marquise. Rather than treating the case purely as an intelligence puzzle, the story also focuses on the people and communities impacted by the bombing. The investigation spans Scotland, the United States, and Malta before ultimately arriving at the trial.
Quick Verdict
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 appeals to viewers who enjoy historical dramas, true-crime investigations, and real-world events told through a scripted format. What sets it apart is how it traces the investigation across numerous countries and institutions, instead of focusing only on the bombing itself.
Where to Watch The Bombing of Pan Am 103 in the US
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is a six-part historical drama that draws on the events surrounding the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. The series tracks the investigation that followed the explosion of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland, on December 21, 1988, which killed everyone on board and 11 people on the ground. Instead of presenting the disaster purely as a crime mystery, the drama depicts the joint investigation conducted by Scottish police and the FBI as investigators hunt for evidence across Scotland, the United States, and Malta. The narrative progresses through the uncovering of key evidence, disputes among intelligence agencies, the hunt for the bomb’s maker and the eventual trial of suspects at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands.
Connor Swindells takes the role of Scottish detective Ed McCusker, while Patrick J. Adams plays FBI investigator Dick Marquise. Tony Curran, Eddie Marsan, Phyllis Logan, Lauren Lyle and Merritt Wever also appear in the cast. Created by Jonathan Lee and developed by Adam Morane-Griffiths, the production is a BBC, ITV Studios, and MGM Television project, with World Productions and Night Train Media among the production companies. Its original run on BBC One started in the UK on May 18, 2025, and Netflix added the series to its catalog in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Bombing of Pan Am 103 about?
The 1998 explosion Pan Am 103 is investigated by Glasgow DS Ed McCusker (Connor Swindells), DCS John Orr (Peter Mullan) and FBI agent Dick Marquise (Patrick J Adams) as the town of Lockerbie and victims' families and friends try to heal in the six-part drama series written by Jonathan Lee (with two episodes by Gillian Roger Park).
When was The Bombing of Pan Am 103 released?
Jul 30, 2026
Who created, wrote, or directed The Bombing of Pan Am 103?
Written by Jonathan Lee (with two episodes by Gillian Roger Park)
How many episodes does The Bombing of Pan Am 103 have?
It has six episodes in one limited-series season.
Who plays Ed McCusker?
Connor Swindells plays Scottish detective Ed McCusker, one of the central investigators in the drama.
Where can I watch The Bombing of Pan Am 103?
The series is available on Netflix in India and on Netflix internationally, while its original UK broadcast was on BBC One.
Story — Spoiler Free
On December 21, 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 blew up over Lockerbie, Scotland, presenting investigators with a vast crime scene and an international case. Scottish detective Ed McCusker joins the investigation as Scottish police and the FBI start collaborating. The hunt for evidence leads investigators outside Scotland, while intelligence hurdles and competing lines of inquiry render the case ever more challenging. The series traces the investigation across more than a decade, culminating in the trial of the accused suspects at Camp Zeist.
8.2
TheNextHint Score
8.2 / 10
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 appeals to viewers who enjoy historical dramas, true-crime investigations, and real-world events told through a scripted format. What sets it apart is how it traces the investigation across numerous countries and institutions, instead of focusing only on the bombing itself.
Rating breakdown
Story
8.4
Acting
8.6
Direction
8.2
Visuals
8.0
Sound
8.4
Entertainment
7.8
External Ratings
Scores from other sources, shown in their own scale. These are not TheNextHint's rating.
The series combines a serious real-world subject with a detailed international investigation, strong performances and a restrained approach that keeps the focus on evidence, investigators and the human consequences of the bombing.
Cons
Its methodical pacing and heavy subject matter may feel slow or emotionally demanding for viewers looking for a fast-paced crime thriller.
Who Should Watch
True-Crime Fans
Historical Drama Viewers
Crime-Drama Fans
Who Should Skip
Light Entertainment Viewers
Comedy Fans
Release Date
2026-07-30
Runtime
55–59 minutes per episode
Director
Michael Keillor
Producer
Julia Stannard
Writer
Jonathan Lee, Gillian Roger Park
Cast
Connor Swindells, Eddie Marsan, Peter Mullan, Lauren Lyle, Phyllis Logan, Tony Curran
Music
Mogwai
Cinematography
Wojciech Szepel
Studio
BBC, ITV Studios, MGM Television
Distributor
BBC One, BBC iPlayer; Netflix
Production Company
World Productions, Night Train Media, BBC, ITV Studios, MGM Television
Scottish detective at the center of the investigation.
Patrick J. Adams
as
Dick Marquise
FBI investigator involved in the joint inquiry.
Tony Curran
as
Harry Bell
Scottish investigator involved in the case
Eddie Marsan
as
Tom Thurman
FBI official connected with the investigation.
Phyllis Logan
as
Moira Shearer
Character connected to the Scottish side of the story.
Lauren Lyle
as
June McCusker
Ed McCusker's wife
Merritt Wever
as
Kathryn Turman
Character connected to the American investigation.
Seasons & Episodes
Season 1
6 episodes May 18, 2025Completed
The first and only season follows the Lockerbie investigation from the 1988 bombing through the international search for evidence, the identification of suspects and the eventual Camp Zeist trial.
1Episode 1
May 18, 2026
The bombing destroys Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, beginning a huge search for evidence and answers.
2Episode 2
May 19, 2025
Investigators face pressure to make progress as the joint Scottish-FBI inquiry moves toward its first suspect.
3Episode 3
May 25, 2025
Scottish investigators travel to the United States with new evidence while questions arise over intelligence from the CIA.
4Episode 4
May 26, 2025
Evidence from the Frankfurt luggage list and damaged clothing leads investigators toward a shop in Malta.
5Episode 5
June 1, 2025
Investigators close in on the mystery shopper while a CIA asset may provide important information about the bombers.
6Episode 6
June 2, 2025
More than a decade after the bombing, the accused finally face trial at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands.
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