‘Lockerbie: A Search for Truth’ brings a tragic true story to TV
‘Lockerbie: A Search for Truth’ brings a tragic true story to TV
Colin Firth plays a grieving father searching for answers in a series based on Dr. Jim Swire’s book.
I loved everything about Colin Firth in his last TV series, “The Staircase,” except the ending. The Academy Award winner is back in the limited series, “Lockerbie: A Search for Truth” premiering Thursday, Jan. 7 on Peacock. The five-part series tells the story of Dr. Jim Swire, a father who lost his daughter in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing, when a terrorist attack brought down Pan Am Flight 103, killing 270 people. But this isn’t likely to be just a retelling of history - it’s a deeply personal look at a father’s grief, resilience, and pursuit of justice. Here’s everything you need to know about this limited series, “Lockerbie: A Search for Truth.”
Everything you need toknow about ‘Lockerbie: A Search for Truth’:
What is ‘Lockerbie: A Search for Truth’ about?
“Lockerbie: A Search for Truth” is a five-part series based on the true story of Dr. Jim Swire, played by Colin Firth, as he searches for justice after losing his 23-year-old daughter, Flora, in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing. The show draws inspiration from Dr. Swire’s 2021 book, “The Lockerbie Bombing: A Father’s Search for Justice.” It follows his years-long fight to uncover the truth about what really happened.
The series takes viewers back to Dec. 21, 1988, when Pan Am Flight 103 was blown apart by a bomb over Lockerbie, Scotland, killing 270 people. Among them was Flora, a bright medical student who had her whole life ahead of her. This unimaginable loss drove her father, Jim, to dedicate his life to finding answers, challenging the official investigation, and calling for justice. The attack was linked to Libyan terrorists, and Abdelbaset al-Megrahi was eventually convicted. However, the trial raised more questions than it answered, and the case remains controversial to this day.
Directed by Otto Bathurst (“Peaky Blinders”) and Jim Loach (“Oranges and Sunshine”), the show captures not just the facts of the tragedy, but also the deeply personal journey of the Swire family. Colin Firth plays Jim as a grieving father who refuses to give up, while Catherine McCormack plays Jane Swire, Jim’s wife, who stands by his side through it all. The series looks at the emotional toll of their fight for justice and the larger implications of taking on governments, intelligence agencies, and global politics. “Lockerbie: A Search for Truth” provides a closer look at how one family turned their heartbreak into a lifelong mission to uncover the truth.
What time will episodes of ‘Lockerbie: A Search for Truth’ come on Peacock?
“Lockerbie: A Search for Truth” will debut all five episodes on Thursday, Jan. 7 on Peacock. While there’s no confirmation on what time the show will drop, Peacock usually releases its new TV shows and movies around the world at 3 a.m. ET – which is 12 midnight on the west coast.
Peacock
Peacock is a subscription video streaming service from NBCUniversal that includes original shows, blockbuster movies, and classic television series. Peacock is home to “Yellowstone,” “The Office,” and original hits like “Poker Face” and “Bel-Air.” You can also watch live sports and NBC programming, including the NFL, MLB, WWE, the Olympics, the Premier League, NASCAR, the French Open, college football and basketball, and the PGA Tour. Premium Plus subscribers can stream their local NBC feed in all 210 markets.
Who are the main characters in ‘Lockerbie: A Search for Truth’?
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Dr. Jim Swire: Played by Colin Firth. Dr. Swire is a grieving father seeking justice after losing his daughter, Flora, in the 1988 Lockerbie bombing.
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Jane Swire: Played by Catherine McCormack. Jane is Jim’s supportive wife, standing by him as they pursue the truth.
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Murray Guthrie: Played by Sam Troughton, Murray is a close associate who helps Dr. Swire in his investigation into the bombing.
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Roderick McGill: Mark Bonnar plays Roderick, a key player in the events of the who
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Abdelbaset al-Megrahi: Played by Ardalan Esmaili, Al-Megrahi is the Libyan national convicted of the Lockerbie bombing.
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Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah: Played by Mudar Abbara. Fhimah is an associate of al-Megrahi, implicated in the bombing but acquitted of charges.
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Paul Channon: Played by Guy Henry. Channon is a government official entangled in the political aftermath of the tragedy.
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Colonel Gaddafi: Played by Nabil Al Raee, Gaddafi is the Libyan leader during the time of the bombing.
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Cathy Swire: Jemma Carlton plays Cathy, the Swires’ other daughter.
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William Swire: Played by Harry Redding, William is the Swires’ son.
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Flora Swire: Played by Rosanna Adams, Flora is Jim and Jane’s daughter who dies on Pan Am Flight 103.
Lockerbie: A Search for Truth
Dr Jim Swire tragically loses his daughter when Pan Am Flight 103 exploded over a small town on 21 December 1988. Travelling across continents and political divides, Swire 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 his feet, Swire’s view of the world is left forever sullied.
Is ‘Lockerbie: A Search for Truth’ based on a book?
Yes, “Lockerbie: A Search for Truth” is based on the 2021 book “The Lockerbie Bombing: A Father’s Search for Justice” by Dr. Jim Swire and Peter Biddulph. The book tells the story of Dr. Swire’s long fight to uncover the truth about the 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103, which killed his daughter. Dr. Swire’s book gives a personal and detailed look at the tragedy and its aftermath, showing the struggles of the families left behind and the questions surrounding the investigation.
Colin Firth seems to be drawn to true stories, especially ones that dig deep into grief and the search for justice. He did it in his last series, “The Staircase,” where Firth played Michael Peterson, a man accused of murdering his wife. Both projects focus on real-life events and explore the emotional price of losing someone you love.
How to watch Colin Firth’s other projects?
Colin Firth has been making movies and TV shows for decades. From recent projects like “The Staircase” to classics like “A Single Man,” Firth is always worth watching. You can check out some of his other projects and where to stream them below:
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The King's Speech
November 26, 2010The King’s Speech tells the story of the man who became King George VI, the father of Queen Elizabeth II. After his brother abdicates, George (‘Bertie’) reluctantly assumes the throne. Plagued by a dreaded stutter and considered unfit to be king, Bertie engages the help of an unorthodox speech therapist named Lionel Logue. Through a set of unexpected techniques, and as a result of an unlikely friendship, Bertie is able to find his voice and boldly lead the country into war.
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Kingsman: The Secret Service
January 24, 2015The story of a super-secret spy organization that recruits an unrefined but promising street kid into the agency’s ultra-competitive training program just as a global threat emerges from a twisted tech genius.
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Love Actually
September 7, 2003Eight very different couples deal with their love lives in various loosely interrelated tales all set during a frantic month before Christmas in London.
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A Single Man
December 11, 2009Set in Los Angeles in 1962, at the height of the Cuban missile crisis, is the story of a British college professor who dwells on the past and cannot see his future. We follow him through a single day, where a series of events and encounters ultimately lead him to decide if there is a meaning to life after the death of his long time partner, Jim.
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Bridget Jones's Diary
April 13, 2001Bridget Jones is an average woman struggling against expectations. As a New Year’s resolution, Bridget decides to take control of her life, starting by keeping a diary in which she will always tell the complete truth. Her charming boss takes an interest in her, and she cannot stop running into a rather disagreeable acquaintance whom Bridget cannot help finding quietly attractive.
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Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
September 16, 2011George Smiley, the aging master spy of the Cold War and once heir apparent to Control, is brought back out of retirement to flush out a top level mole within the Circus. Smiley must travel back through his life and murky workings of the Circus to unravel the net spun by his nemesis Karla ‘The Sandman’ of the KGB and reveal the identity of the mole before he disappears.
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Mamma Mia!
July 3, 2008A spirited young bride-to-be living with her single mother on a small Greek island secretly invites three of her mother’s ex-boyfriends in hope of finding her biological father to walk her down the aisle.
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The Railway Man
December 2, 2013A victim from World War II’s “Death Railway” sets out to find those responsible for his torture. A true story.
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The King's Man
December 22, 2021As a collection of history’s worst tyrants and criminal masterminds gather to plot a war to wipe out millions, one man must race against time to stop them.
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The Importance of Being Earnest
May 17, 2002Two young gentlemen living in 1890s England use the same pseudonym (‘Ernest’) on the sly, which is fine until they both fall in love with women using that name, which leads to a comedy of mistaken identities.
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Where the Truth Lies
October 7, 2005An ambitious reporter probes the reasons behind the sudden split of a 1950s comedy team.
