What is Lockerbie: A Search for Truth about? Everything to know

Lockerbie: A Search for Truth still (Image via Peacock)
Lockerbie: A Search for Truth still (Image via Peacock)

Lockerbie: A Search for Truth is a five-episode drama series set to delve into the aftermath of the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 over Lockerbie, Scotland. The series focuses on the story of Dr. Jim Swire, a British physician whose daughter, Flora, was one of the 270 victims of the tragedy.

Releasing on January 2, 2025, the series is loosely based on the 2021 non-fiction book The Lockerbie Bombing: A Father's Search for Justice, co-authored by Dr Jim Swire and Peter Biddulph. The series, directed by Otto Bathurst and Jim Loach, will open new lines of investigation into Lockerbie and focus public attention and scrutiny again on the case.

In the cast, Colin Firth stars as Dr Jim Swire, a bereft father who seeks the truth behind the bombing of "Pan Am Flight 103". Catherine McCormack plays the role of his wife, Jane Swire, and Sam Troughton appears as the close ally in the case investigation, Murray Guthrie. Mark Bonnar appears as Roderick McGill, an important figure in the case regarding legal and political matters.

Sky Studios, Peacock, and Carnival Films co-produced the show, which was filmed in Scotland and areas like Friars Brae, a part of Linlithgow.


What is Lockerbie: A Search for Truth about?

youtube-cover

Lockerbie: A Search for Truth revisits the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 on December 21, 1988, over Lockerbie, Scotland. In the incident, 270 people were killed, including 259 passengers and crew and 11 residents on the ground. Among those who perished was a 23-year-old medical student, Flora Swire.

Her father, Dr Jim Swire, became one of the most vocal leaders among the families of the victims, working unrelentingly to see the perpetrators brought to justice and to uncover the truth about the attack. The official investigation led to the conviction of Libyan intelligence officer Abdelbaset al-Megrahi in 2001.

To this day, many question the evidence produced to prove his guilt, not to mention the calls by Dr Swire and others for a deeper look into the case. In December 2022, Abu Agila Masud, another Libyan, was taken into US custody and charged with the offense of constructing the bomb that destroyed the aircraft.

His trial is scheduled for May 2025 in Washington, D.C. In preparation for that trial, parts of the aircraft wreckage have been flown to the U.S. as evidence.


Lockerbie: A Search for Truth Plot Explained

The official logline of Lockerbie: A Search for Truth on IMDb reads as:

"Pan Am Flight 103 explodes over Lockerbie 38 minutes after takeoff on Dec. 21, 1988, killing 259 on board and 11 on ground. Dr. Jim Swire loses daughter Flora and seeks justice with wife Jane."

The series shows Dr Jim Swire on a pursuit of justice as he discovers that his daughter, Flora, has perished in the disaster. One is introduced to the disaster that has immediately devasted the Swire family in the early episodes.

In the storyline, Dr. Swire gradually changes from a grieving father into an activist for the truth. He becomes skeptical of the official investigation and is determined to uncover hidden evidence. Lockerbie: A Search for Truth also explores the personal and legal challenges the families of victims face when seeking justice.

In the opening episode of the five-part series, Catherine McCormack delivers a powerful performance as Jane, Jim Swire’s wife. In a tense Westminster meeting with officials, Jim grows frustrated as the victims’ families are dismissed yet again.

Breaking the silence, Jane steps in, calmly revealing the haunting results of her research. She explains that their daughter, Flora, likely regained consciousness for 15 harrowing seconds after the plane exploded before falling to her death.

This emotional revelation leaves Jim stunned and marks a pivotal moment in the series, showcasing McCormack’s acting chops. This scene was almost cut from the show.


Lockerbie: A Search for Truth viewing options explored

Lockerbie: A Search for Truth premieres on January 2, 2025, across various platforms. It will stream on Peacock in the United States, with all five episodes released at once. Peacock subscriptions are priced at $7.99 per month for the Premium plan and $13.99 for Premium Plus.

In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the series will air on Sky Atlantic at 9 pm GMT and will be available for streaming on NOW. An Entertainment Membership costs £9.99 per month. Viewers in Italy, Germany, Switzerland, and Austria can access the series through Sky Atlantic and NOW, with pricing varying by region.


Stay tuned for more updates.

Quick Links

Edited by Shreya Das
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications