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Limited Series – The Bombing of Pan Am 103

Play trailer 2:01 Poster for Limited Series – The Bombing of Pan Am 103 May 2025 Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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100% Tomatometer 10 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 100+ Ratings
The tragic bombing of a transatlantic flight over Scotland in 1988 unites the local police and the FBI in a hunt for the attackers. Based on a true story.
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The Bombing of Pan Am 103 — Limited Series

Critics Reviews

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Graeme Blundell The Australian Sep 1, 2026
This is engrossing, tightly rendered storytelling that takes us into the darkness and challenge the investigators face to make sense of chaos. Go to Full Review
Angie Han The Hollywood Reporter Jul 30, 2026
If The Bombing of Pan Am 103 struggles to find the specific humanity of its generic characters, the impulse behind creating them in the first place -- to commemorate those departed, and those who cared about them -- cannot help but feel touchingly humane. Go to Full Review
Jared Richards The Age (Australia) Jul 27, 2026
3/5
While affecting, this sombre series lacks drama or tension. It has little to offer beyond recognition of pain and tragedy. Perhaps that’s enough. Go to Full Review
John Stark Mac the Movie Guy Sep 7, 2026
86/100
A tremendously affecting and somber reminder of the cooperation and resilience required in times of tragedy, as well as the strength and perseverance required in our darkest moments. Go to Full Review
Ty'Kira Smalls Common Sense Media Aug 10, 2026
4/5
This series not only focuses on the tragedy and its aftermath, but also sensitively portrays the victims and investigators involved. Go to Full Review
Sonal Pandya Times Now Aug 5, 2026
3/5
The show is perhaps a touch too reverential in its approach that it fails to unearth a stronger response to the whole event. In the final two episodes, as the search for those responsible gets heated, the miniseries increases the urgency and emotion. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Peter K @Vacadoug Oct 16, 2026 Hard to watch as it was a terrible tragedy: not only for the those killed but also the effects on the locals that had to come to grips with the stark reality of the event. See more Jon T @RT32560546 Oct 2, 2026 A surprisingly insular look at this disaster. Considering the kind of criticism commonly given to American productions of this sort, the decision to focus almost exclusively on events on the ground is quite limiting, and perhaps even a little insensitive to the terror experienced by those on the flight, not to mention the sorrow felt by their families. I expected more of the BBC. 11 Scottish victims as compared to 259 passengers who perished as their plane broke apart over 3 minutes (an eternity in film-making terms) doesn't quite paint a full picture of this world-altering event. See more lawrenceb56 T @Trexian Sep 30, 2026 A tough slog that moves incredibly slowly and is hampered by some pretty wooden writing and acting. I stuck with it because I found some of the interplay between nations pretty interesting. But a little of that went a long way. I think this was an honest effort with integrity, but I couldn’t make it through the entire last episode. See more Michael D @MichaelX Sep 10, 2026 This event lodged itself into my brain when it happened in December 1988; I was a college freshman, about to depart for a study abroad program in France, blissfully unbothered by the prospect of flying, as only the dewy-skinned young can be. This six-part BBC drama, now on Netflix, arrived on my radar via a trusted friend’s recommendation, which is exactly why I publish these musings, to both share and receive viewing advice in a world drowning in content. This series follows the real-life heroes of Lockerbie and the years-long international effort to compel Libya to surrender two suspects for trial. Connor Swindells is quietly excellent as the determined Scottish detective at the center of it all, and the Mogwai score is haunting and perfect. Gripping, meticulously researched, and respectfully told, it’s got a 100% Rotten Tomatoes score from critics. Definitely add this to your queue. See more Michael B @KVD1969 Sep 7, 2026 The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is a six-part British factual television drama created by Jonathan Lee that dramatizes the aftermath of the 1988 Lockerbie air disaster. Starring Connor Swindells, Patrick J. Adams, and Merritt Wever, the series details the largest murder investigation in Scottish history. Over its six episodes, the show follows the cross-border collaboration and diplomatic friction between Scottish police detectives and the FBI as they work to identify the terrorists. Beyond the criminal inquiry, the narrative focuses heavily on the human toll, depicting the grief and resilience of local Lockerbie residents alongside victim advocacy groups. Co-produced by the BBC and Netflix, the series spans the decade-long pursuit of justice, culminating in the historic trial at Camp Zeist in the Netherlands. See more diogo13 T @Tua_mera Sep 6, 2026 An excellent and highly impactful cinematic work that shines in its reconstruction of the investigation, handling it with immense tension and respect. Although the final third loses momentum—becoming somewhat sluggish to the point where I lost interest during the home stretch—the overall result remains very positive and memorable. See more Read all reviews
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 — Limited Series

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired May 18, 2025 On December 21, 1988, a devastating aircraft explosion over Lockerbie sets the Scottish town alight, sparking a desperate search for survivors and answers. Details Episode 2 Aired May 19, 2025 Nearly two weeks on, evidence from the scene points to a bomb on board; but cracks emerge in the joint investigation as the FBI withholds their suspect. Details Episode 3 Aired May 25, 2025 Radio fragments offer key evidence to identify the bomb maker; Scottish detective Ed McCusker heads to Washington, D.C. to strengthen intelligence sharing. Details Episode 4 Aired May 26, 2025 A breakthrough from the luggage list sends Scottish detectives to Malta; mounting pressure and a promising prospect test Special Agent Dick Marquise. Details Episode 5 Aired Jun 1, 2025 In 1990, investigators discover similarities between Pan Am and another bombing; a key piece of evidence exposes a costly oversight by Dick and the FBI. Details Episode 6 Aired Jun 2, 2025 After more than a decade of investigation, suspects finally face trial; but as key witnesses waver, will the victims' families finally see justice? Details

Season Info

Director
Michael Keillor
Executive Producer
Simon Heath, Gaynor Holmes, Michael Keillor, Herbert Kloiber, Jonathan Lee, Adam Morane-Griffiths, Roderick Seligman, Steve Stark, Steve Stark, Sara Curran, Stacey Levin
Screenwriter
Jonathan Lee, Gillian Roger Park
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
Drama
Original Language
British English
Release Date
May 18, 2025
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