logo
Sex Education star's horror over terror attack that killed 270 people

Sex Education star's horror over terror attack that killed 270 people

Daily Mirror14-05-2025

For almost 30 years, the bombing of Pan Am Flight 103 has been a forgotten headline. Now, the BBC are shining a light on the tragedy - leaving Connor Swindells lost for words.
December 21, 1988. A routine transatlantic flight from Heathrow to JFK ends in catastrophe. Pan Am Flight 103 explodes mid-air over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing all 259 people on board and 11 on the ground.
It was the deadliest terrorist attack on US citizens before 9/11, yet for many – including some of the cast of BBC One 's gripping new series The Bombing Of Pan Am 103 – the tragedy has become a forgotten headline.

'I didn't know much about it before,' says Sex Education actor Connor Swindells, 28, who plays a Scottish detective. 'The filming process was really informative.'

His co-star, Suits ' Patrick J Adams, 43, says, 'I was seven years old when it happened and living in the UK at the time. As soon as I heard a series was being made about the events, I thought, 'How has this never happened before?''
In the six-part series, also coming to Netflix, Connor and Patrick play opposing forces in the aftermath of the bombing. Connor steps into the role of DS Ed McCusker, the detective leading the case on home soil.
Patrick portrays his American counterpart and rival, FBI special agent Dick Marquise. As Scotland and the US wrangle for control of the investigation in a bid to seek answers, political friction and personal grief collide.
The series doesn't shy away from the geopolitical tensions that followed the bombing. While the FBI got involved assuming there would be cooperation, they were met with resistance from the Scottish authorities.
'I thought the FBI would be welcomed to any investigation,' says Patrick. 'But this happened on Scottish soil – it belonged to them. There was friction despite everyone wanting the same thing.'

That complexity was front and centre for Connor, who found the emotional weight of his role intense. 'This is a story that must be handled with care,' he says. 'It's been a real lesson in trying to do justice to the truth every single day, which is how it should be.'
Joining Patrick and Connor are Merritt Wever as FBI victim services director Kathryn Turman and Eddie Marsan as explosives expert Tom Thurman. Like Connor, Merritt knew little about the tragedy before filming.

'It wasn't on my radar,' she says. 'But once I started speaking to people, so many had connections.' Eddie, however, remembers it vividly. 'It was a terrible moment in history,' he says.
Kathryn went on to reshape the FBI from the inside out once the investigation was closed. 'She saw that, back in 1988, these big investigative institutions lacked a framework for putting families first in the wake of these disasters.
She helped transform the Department of Justice and FBI, essentially giving them a heart,' says Merritt. Writer Jonathan Lee hopes the series does justice to the enormity of the event – and its continued relevance.
'It was the biggest crime scene the world had ever seen at the time,' he says. 'They had to piece together the communication lines across borders, beliefs and individual agendas. It's a lesson we're constantly learning and unlearning.'

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Michelle Keegan lands six-figure deal to become new face of Sky in her first job since having baby Palma
Michelle Keegan lands six-figure deal to become new face of Sky in her first job since having baby Palma

Scottish Sun

time27 minutes ago

  • Scottish Sun

Michelle Keegan lands six-figure deal to become new face of Sky in her first job since having baby Palma

FORMER Corrie star Michelle Keegan has signed a six-figure advertising deal to become the new face of Sky. She is set to film a series of promo clips — which will be shown around the globe — with fellow British actor, Luther star Idris Elba. 3 Michelle Keegan has signed a six-figure advertising deal to become the new face of Sky Credit: Getty 3 Michelle's comedy-drama Brassic one of the most popular series to air on the platform Credit: Getty The deal is Michelle's first major job since she gave birth to her daughter Palma in March. She landed the deal after becoming a major player for Sky, with her comedy-drama Brassic one of the most popular series to air on the platform. A source said: 'Michelle has really been enjoying maternity leave with Palma, but she'll be back to work soon to film these new adverts for Sky. 'She has signed a six-figure deal for the job and is thrilled to have been chosen to appear alongside Idris, who has been their 'face'. 'Brassic is ending after the seventh series and Michelle is keen to still be a part of the Sky brand. 'Landing this ad is huge for Michelle, as she's fast becoming a brand in her own right. "Everything she touches seems to turn to gold.' The actress, 38, found fame as Tina McIntyre on Coronation Street after joining the ITV soap in 2007. But it was after she left in 2014 her career really took off, with hits such as BBC military drama Our Girl from 2016 to 2020, playing Georgie Lane. Last year, she had the starring role as Maya Stern in Netflix's Harlan Coben thriller Fool Me Once — which racked up more than 100 million views globally. Mark Wright and Michelle Keegan take newborn baby Palma to another luxury hotel as they stay in £21k a night suite The show became the streaming service's most watched series of 2024, beating Bridgerton and Baby Reindeer. Michelle also stars in the BBC's Australian drama Ten Pound Poms. The Sun revealed last year that the Manchester-born actress, who is married to Heart radio DJ and former The Only Way is Essex star Mark Wright, 38, was sitting on a £3.6million fortune. Michelle admitted leaving Coronation Street after six years had pushed her onwards to succeed with her career. She said: 'For me, it was a massive learning platform. "I took a long, long time to decide to leave. It was very hard. 'And then, when they told me they were killing off my character and there was no going back, I thought I would never work again. 'My security was ripped away, which made me push forward and work harder.' 3 Idris Elba will join Michelle in leading the Sky brand Unlock even more award-winning articles as The Sun launches brand new membership programme - Sun Club.

Major shake-up of how people pay BBC licence fee proposed
Major shake-up of how people pay BBC licence fee proposed

Wales Online

time33 minutes ago

  • Wales Online

Major shake-up of how people pay BBC licence fee proposed

Major shake-up of how people pay BBC licence fee proposed BBC chairman Samir Shah suggested the current flat fee could be replaced in future The BBC licence fee would be means tested if the proposals were introduced (Image: Getty ) A BBC boss has proposed TV licence fees could be based on the value of one's home in future. Chairman Samir Shah suggested that the current £174.50 fee could be replaced with a progressive payment structure tied to property values. In an interview earlier this year, he proposed that the fee could be linked to council tax bands and collected concurrently, marking his first significant change since succeeding Richard Sharp. He also dismissed the notion of replacing the TV licence with a Netflix-style subscription service, arguing it wouldn't fulfil the BBC's mission to provide something for everyone in the country. ‌ Under this proposal, households in higher council tax bands would pay more for BBC services, while those in lower bands might pay less than the current rate. The option to opt out of paying a TV licence would be removed. For our free daily briefing on the biggest issues facing the nation, sign up to the Wales Matters newsletter here ‌ Shah believes this approach would lessen the need to prosecute non-payers, telling The Sunday Times: "It gets rid of the enforcement issue, which is a problem. The idea that not paying the licence fee is a criminal offence seems too harsh." For regions like Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man, and the Channel Islands, where Council Tax doesn't apply, an alternative method would need to be established, reports the Express. Article continues below Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy may be receptive to the idea, having previously described the current model as "harder for poorer households to pay". During the interview, he tackled queries about altering the BBC's funding model and dismissed the idea of a hybrid structure that would offer basic services like news for free while charging for drama or comedy content. He also mentioned that introducing advertising to the BBC would "kill off ITV" and rejected the notion that the BBC should be funded entirely through general taxation, arguing it would "leave the BBC open to influence from the government of the day". Article continues below At the moment, although there are concessions or free licences for certain groups, such as those over 75 who receive Pension Credit, the licence fee does not take personal assets into account. The standard licence fee is set at £174.50 per annum, with a reduced rate of £58.50 for black and white TV subscriptions. For individuals who are blind or severely sight-impaired, there is a 50% concession, bringing the cost down to £87.25.

Race Across the World final: when is the reunion episode?
Race Across the World final: when is the reunion episode?

Scotsman

timean hour ago

  • Scotsman

Race Across the World final: when is the reunion episode?

Race Across the World might have reached the series 5 final - but there is more to come 🚨 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Race Across the World still has one more episode to come. The final of series 5 is set to take place - and a winner will be crowned. But when is the reunion special and how can you watch it? Fans of the Race Across the World might be gearing up for the final of series 5 - but there is still one more episode to come. All five of the original teams will be back for a reunion special on the BBC. After nearly 14,000km across China, Nepal and India the remaining pairs have just one leg left. The bookies have named the favourites to win - after the previous frontrunners fell dramatically behind. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The BBC has confirmed the start time for the 2025 final. It has also revealed how long it will be on for and if it will be an extra long instalment. But when is the last episode of the season? Here's all you need to know: How many episodes are left in Race Across the World series 5? Race Across the World finalists Caroline and Tom | BBC The show is set to air the final of its latest season tonight (June 11). It will see the remaining teams race each other to the finish line at the southernmost tip of India and secure the grand prize . Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad It is the eighth episode of the series - but fear not there will still be one more to look forward to. Race Across the World season five will have nine episodes in total, like past years, with the finale being a reunion special. When is the Race Across the World reunion special? The cast of series 5 will be back to reflect upon their journey across China, Nepal and India in a reunion special. It is set to take place in one week's time and will air next Wednesday (June 18). The preview, via Radio Times, reads: 'Six months after finishing their race, the five teams reunite to reflect on their 14,000km adventure, which started at the Great Wall of China and took them through China, Nepal and India. 'They reminisce about being forced out of their comfort zones, traversing the two most populated countries on earth, and the landscapes they witnessed along the way. The programme also features behind-the-scenes insights and previously unseen footage.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Have you got a story you want to share with our readers? You can now send it to us online via YourWorld at . It's free to use and, once checked, your story will appear on our website and, space allowing, in our newspapers.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store