Colin Firth Seeks Justice in 'Lockerbie: A Search for Truth's Trailer

Even if they're a bit fuzzy on the details, most people have probably at least some knowledge of the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103. Still considered the deadliest terror attack in the history of the United Kingdom, the flight was en route from Heathrow to JFK in December of1988 when a bomb exploded in its hold while the plane was over the town of Lockerbie, Scotland. All 243 passengers and 16 crew members were killed, as well as 11 Lockerbie residents who died when large sections of the aircraft crashed into a local neighborhood. 

But rather than tell the story of the lead-up to the bombing itself, Peacock's forthcoming limited series Lockerbie: A Search for Truth will chronicle the lesser-known events of its aftermath, focused on a grieving father who crossed both countries and political divides, risking everything in an attempt to see those responsible prosecuted

Oscar-winner Colin Firth (The Staircase) stars as Dr. Jim Swire, whose daughter, Flora, was one of the passengers who perished on Flight 103. Determined to find out the truth about the tragedy that claimed Flora's life, Swire spent the better part of the next three decades on a controversial hunt for justice that took him everywhere from a meeting with Libya's Colonel Muammar Gaddafi to the Netherlands for the trial of Libyan national Abdelbaset al-Megrahi, who was convicted on 270 counts of murder. (Though Swire himself later came to believe in al-Megrani's innocence and advocated for his appeal and release.)

Here's the series synopsis. 

On 21st December 1988, 259 passengers and crew were killed when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over Lockerbie 38 minutes after take-off, with a further 11 residents losing their life as the plane came down over the quiet, Scottish town.

In the wake of the disaster and his daughter Flora’s death, Dr Jim Swire, is nominated spokesperson for the UK victims’ families, who have united to demand truth and justice. Travelling across continents and political divides, Jim embarks on a relentless journey that not only jeopardises his stability, family and life, but completely overturns his trust in the justice system. As the truth shifts under Jim’s feet, his view of the world is left forever sullied.

Exploring events from the disaster and its aftermath, Lockerbie provides an intimate account of a man, a husband, and a father who risks everything in memory of his daughter and the unflinching pursuit of truth and justice. 

Alongside Firth, the series also stars Catherine McCormack (Slow Horses), Rosanna Adams (Do You Remember?), Jemma Carlton (A Thousand Blows), Harry Redding (Red Rose), Sam Troughton (Litvinenko), Mark Bonner (Murder is Easy), Ardalan Esmaili (Deliver Me), and Selwa Jghalef (Pensive Moments). 

Lockerbie: A Search for Truth is written by David Harrower (Outlaw King), with Maryam Hamidi (Vigil) guest writing on an episode. Otto Bathurst (Peaky Blinders) is the series' lead director, with Jim Loach (Save Me) also directing an episode. 

The five-part series is a co-production between Carnival Films and Sky Studios. Executive producers include Gareth Neame and Nigel Marchant for Carnival Films and Sam Hoyle for Sky Studios, as well as Harrower, Liz Trubridge, Jim Sheridan, Kirsten Sheridan, and Oskar Slingerland. Brian Kaczynski is Producer and Hamidi is also Associate Producer.

Lockerbie: The Search for Truth will premiere on Thursday, January 2, 2025, on Peacock.