'The Bombing of Pan Am 103' Finally Sets July 2026 Global Netflix Release Date

The Bombing Of Pan Am Sets Netflix Release Date

Picture Credit: BBC

Netflix and the BBC teamed up for a brand-new co-production centered around one of the worst aviation disasters in history, Pan Am Flight 103, aka the Lockerbie bombing. Following its initial broadcast on the BBC in the UK, the series is finally heading to Netflix globally on July 30th, 2026. Here’s your updated guide to everything you need to know about The Bombing of Pan Am 103, including the plot, cast, reviews, and release details.

The Bombing of Pan Am 103, previously referred to as just Lockerbie, is a six-part historical thriller series and co-production between Netflix and the BBC (British Broadcasting Corporation). Jonathan Lee (Who Killed Jando) is the showrunner of the series, who co-wrote the drama alongside Gillian Roger Park (Flotsam). Directing the series is Michael Keillor, who previously directed and produced the thriller Roadkill and directed episodes of Line of Duty.

Jonathan Lee Lockerbie Netflix Bbc Co Production

Pictured: Jonathan Lee

The drama is not to be confused with the Sky and Peacock series, Lockerbie: A Search for Truth, starring Colin Firth. That series was produced by Carnival Film & Television (the same studio behind The Last Kingdom) and released to critical acclaim in early 2025.

Netflix’s iteration with the BBC filmed throughout 2024 with filming locations including Scotland, Malta, and Toronto, Canada.

MGM Television (USA), Night Train Media (Denmark), Toluca Pictures (USA), and World Productions (UK) are the four production studios behind the series, which executive producers represent; Sara Curran, Simon Hearth, Joe Hill, Gaynor Holmes, Michael Keillor, Herbert Kloiber, Jonathan Lee, Stacey Levin, Adam Morane-Griffiths, Roderick Seligman, and Steve Stark.

Here’s everything we know so far about The Bombing of Pan Am 103 on Netflix:

What is the plot of The Bombing of Pan Am 103?

We have a detailed synopsis of The Bombing of Pan Am 103 that seeks to tell the untold story of the Scottish and American investigators who sought to bring the perpetrators to justice:

“A drama based on the real events surrounding the 1988 Lockerbie bombing and the joint Scots-US investigation which sought to bring the perpetrators to justice. The series will focus on the investigation into the crash on both sides of the Atlantic 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 drama goes right up to the most recent indictment at the end of 2022.”

What is the Lockerbie Bombing?

On the 21st of December 1988, Pan Am Flight 103 was on a transatlantic flight from Frankfurt to Detroit. After a short stopover in London, just after 19:00 while in flight over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, a bomb that was planted on board destroyed the plane. All 243 passengers and 16 crew were killed.
There were further casualties after the debris and large portions of the plane crashed into several homes in Lockerbie, which resulted in the death of 11 residents.

Street Crash Lockerbie Netflix Bbc Co Production

Pan Am Flight 103 was flying over the Scottish town of Lockerbie a bomb was detonated aboard the flight – Credit: News UK Ltd

It took a three-year investigation conducted by the FBI and the Dumfries and Galloway Constabulary to put out an arrest warrant for two Libyan nationals. Several years later, Muammar Gaddafi, the leader of Libya, gave up the two men who went on trial in the Netherlands.

In 2001, Libyan intelligence officer Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was jailed for life after he was found guilty of 270 charges of Murder for his connection to the bombings.

It took many years later, but in 2020 US authorities indicted Libyan national Abu Agila Mohammad Mas’ud Kheir Al-Marimi, who was residing in Algeria, for his role in the bombing, and was taken into custody in December 2022.

Debris Crash Aftermath Lockerbie Netflix Bbc Co Production

People look at the remnants of a 747 Pan Am passenger plane that exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, in December 1988, killing 270 people. (Roy Letkey/AFP/Getty Images)

Who are the cast members of The Bombing of Pan Am 103?

An all-star cast has come together for the new series, including:

Connor Swindells (SAS Rogue Heroes, Sex Education) as DS Ed McCusker
Patrick J. Adams (Suits, A League of Their Own) as Dick Marquise
Merritt Wever (Unbelievable, Severance) as Kathryn Turman
Peter Mullan (Ozark, Payback) as DCS John Orr
Tony Curran (Mary & George, Mayflies) as DCI Harry Bell
Douglas Hodge (The Great, Catastrophe)
Eddie Marsan (The Power, Ray Donovan) as Tom Thurman
Nicholas Gleaves (After The Flood, The Rising)
Lauren Lyle (Karen Pirie, Vigil)
Andrew Rothney (The Undeclared War, Traces)
Phyllis Logan (Downton Abbey, Guilt) as Moira Shearer
Cora Bissett (Annika, Shetland) as Elma Pringle
Kevin McKidd (Grey’s Anatomy, Six Four) as Tom McCullough
Parker Sawyers (Spy/Master, P-Valley)
James Harkness (The Sixth Commandment, The Victim)
Molly Geddes (Dinosaur, Where We Stop) as WP Lauren Aitken
Khalid Laith (Vigil, Cobra)
Amanda Drew (The Gold, Wolf)

How did The Bombing of Pan Am 103 perform on the BBC?

Because this is a BBC co-production, the six-part series aired first in the United Kingdom on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, premiering in mid-May 2025.

The series debuted to generally positive, albeit somewhat mixed, reviews from critics. Many praised the sheer scope of the production and its focus on the exhausting investigative work spanning the smallest police force in Scotland to international intelligence agencies. Radio Times gave the series four stars, noting that it “impressively never loses sight of the emotional core of its storytelling”, while the Evening Standard called it “compelling, if distressing, viewing,” praising the apocalyptic practical effects and Connor Swindells’ dour but grounded performance.

On the other hand, some critics felt the series struggled to separate itself from Sky’s iteration, with The Guardian writing that while it had “startling and impressive moments, it mainly forgets to actually find any drama”. Despite some critical division regarding pacing, viewership reception was incredibly strong. UK audiences heavily praised the respectfully crafted final episode on social media, bringing the devastating tragedy to an emotional close.

When is The Bombing of Pan Am 103 Netflix release date?

Following its exclusive broadcast window on the BBC, we finally have the date for the international rollout, and it’s coming much later than originally anticipated. At one point, the series was set to drop on Netflix in 2025, but it was notably absent from the 2026 schedule, though we did confirm it would premiere in 2026.

Now, we’re pleased to report all six episodes of The Bombing of Pan Am 103 will touch down on Netflix globally on July 30th, 2026.