18-05-2025
Lockerbie detective Ed McCusker helped make BBC's bombing drama for touching reason
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 dramatises the tragic events of the terrorist attack that took place on 21 December, 1988, which saw 270 people killed when a plane exploded over the Scottish town of Lockerbie, and it's time for those who witnessed it to share their story.
DS Ed McCusker is one of the real-life people depicted in BBC's six-part drama, he is portrayed by Connor Swindells and played a key role in the investigation into the Lockerbie bombing. He was closely involved with the TV show, and for a touching reason according to the cast.
Lauren Lyle, who plays McCusker's wife June in the show, shared at a press event for the series that she spoke directly with the detective, who was very open with her about their life and his experience during the investigation.
She explained: "I didn't know anything about June and then I had a phone call, a couple of quite long phone calls with Ed McCusker and I think it just put into perspective the emotional reality. I think the women of the story put in the emotional reality of what happened.
"He was doing it for her because they had this amazing romantic story of their life and their love together, and about five years ago she died of cancer and the last thing that she said to him was 'you have to tell your Lockerbie story'.
"And I'm on the phone going, 'Oh my God, well I have to do it now.' So it was sort of an honour to be a part of something that I've always known about, and to do it for her as well because she'll never see it come to life, but for him to know that we have [is important]."
The BBC worked closely with the detectives and victims families for the drama, because it was important for them to always be "front of mind" according to director Michael Keillor. Those that helped with the drama included FBI agents Tom Thurman (played by Eddie Marsan) and Richard Marquise, played by Patrick J Adams.
Lyle added that she felt a huge sense of responsibility to share their story, and that of the victims and their families, in the right way: "I think being Scottish, it's a very personal story that I've grown up. I didn't live through it, but my parents did and my family did, and it's always been something that I've known a lot about and it's something people really talk about.
"I know Simon [Heath, executive producer] because [his company] made my show Karen Pirie so I knew that the show was being made and we spoke and I expressed that it's such a, in a way, horribly iconic story and I said: 'If there is anything, I'd be really honoured.'
The Bombing of Pan Am 103 premieres on BBC One from 9pm, Sunday 18 May and will be available on BBC iPlayer. Episodes will be released Sunday and Monday nights.
