Lockerbie: A Search for Truth cast

As a devoted fan of British television, I must say that the cast of Lockerbie: A Search for Truth is nothing short of impressive! Each actor brings a wealth of experience and versatility to their roles, having graced our screens with their presence in an array of beloved series over the past two decades.

For instance, Mark Bonnar, who plays Roderick McGill, has become a household name for his numerous appearances on British television. I can’t help but wonder if he ever sleeps, considering his extensive portfolio! But hey, who am I to judge? With talent like that, perhaps he’s found the fountain of youth hidden somewhere among the scripts!

From Jemma Carlton’s gripping portrayal of Cathy Swire to Nabil Al Raee’s chilling depiction of Colonel Gaddafi, this ensemble is sure to deliver a captivating and emotional journey through one of history’s most heart-wrenching events. I eagerly anticipate the premiere of Lockerbie: A Search for Truth on Sky Atlantic and NOW on Thursday 2nd January 2025!

36 years have passed since Pan Am Flight 103 tragically exploded over Lockerbie, Scotland, claiming the lives of all 270 passengers and crew members on board, as well as 11 town residents, marking one of the deadliest terrorist attacks ever on British soil. Interestingly, similar to the recent release of multiple dramatizations about Prince Andrew and Emily Maitlis, this event is now being explored by two different broadcasting networks within a short time frame.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m eagerly anticipating the arrival of Netflix’s six-episode series on Lockerbie, but it seems we’ll have to be patient a bit longer. However, the premiere of Sky Atlantic’s “Lockerbie: A Search for Truth” is right on the horizon, and I can hardly wait!

Let’s take a peek at the remarkable actors playing their roles, most of whom are depicting real-world personalities.

Colin Firth as Jim Swire
Catherine McCormack as Jane Swire
Sam Troughton as Murray Guthrie
Ardalan Esmaili as Abdelbaset al-Megrahi
Guy Henry as Paul Channon
Jemma Carlton as Cathy Swire
Mudar Abbara as Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah
Nabil Al Raee as Colonel Gaddafi
Mark Bonnar as Roderick McGill

Read on to find out more about the cast and characters.

Colin Firth plays Jim Swire

Jim Swire can be described as the father of Flora Swire, a 23-year-old who tragically passed away on a plane crash. In the aftermath of this event, the former GP actively leads a support group, campaigns for the trial of the two Libyans charged with the crime, and subsequently advocates for the release of the one individual who was convicted, as he believes that he is innocent.

Have I encountered Colin Firth in any previous movies or series? He initially gained prominence by playing the wet Mr. Darcy in the 1995 BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. Later on, he starred in notable films such as The English Patient, Shakespeare in Love, and Bridget Jones’ Diary, which were favorites for the Oscars. Additionally, he appeared in popular films like Love Actually and Mamma Mia.

2011 saw him winning an Academy Award for his role as King George VI in “The King’s Speech.” Since then, he has appeared in blockbusters such as “Kingsman: The Secret Service,” “Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy,” and “Mary Poppins Returns.” Lockerbie marks one of his significant TV series appearances this century, following his portrayal of Michael Peterson in the true crime drama “The Staircase” by three years.

Catherine McCormack plays Jane Swire

What is known about Jane Swire? She is recognized as the spouse of Jim Swire and the mother of Lockerbie bombing victim, Flora. She stands by her husband in his pursuit of justice.

Have you recognized Catherine McCormack from somewhere? She played Murron MacClannough in the Academy Award-winning film Braveheart, followed by appearances in other British period dramas like The Land Girls and Dancing at Lughnasa. Later, she made her mark in Hollywood with roles in The Tailor of Panama and Spy Game.

She’s made a strong impact in apocalyptic horror films like 28 Weeks Later and Woody Allen’s Magic in the Moonlight. However, her recent standout performances are on television shows. This includes brief appearances in Sherlock and The Witcher, as well as recurring roles such as medical research scientist Beth in Temple and Russian sleeper agent Alex in Slow Horses.

Sam Troughton plays Murray Guthrie

Who is Murray Guthrie? He’s one of the two main characters in our story, fictitiously portrayed, who swiftly rushes towards the site of the catastrophe as a local news correspondent.

Have I previously encountered actor Sam Troughton, who is known for his roles such as an archaeologist in the sci-fi hybrid Alien vs Predator and as Merry Man Much in the BBC’s weekend series adaptation of Robin Hood?

Lately, Troughton has collaborated with Mike Leigh on Peterloo, David Fincher on Mank, and Ridley Scott on Napoleon; he portrayed Soviet engineer Aleksandr Akimov in Chernobyl, and featured in real-life crime dramas Stephen and Litvinenko. At present, you can catch him playing the senior government role of Stephen Yarrick in Netflix’s highly anticipated spy drama Black Doves.

Ardalan Esmaili plays Abdelbaset al-Megrahi

Abdelbaset al-Megrahi served as head of security for Libyan Arab Airlines and was the sole individual convicted in connection with the Lockerbie bombing. After being sentenced to life imprisonment, he became a subject of controversy when he was released on compassionate grounds in 2009 due to terminal prostate cancer. Al-Megrahi passed away from this disease in 2012.

Have you recognized Ardalan Esmaili from somewhere before? This Iranian-born, Swedish-bred actor first gained international fame in Brian De Palma’s action thriller Domino. Subsequently, he has been featured in Netflix productions such as The Rain, Snabba Cash, and Deliver Me. He also starred as engineer Omid in the sci-fi horror film Sea Fever and more recently portrayed a thief in the true crime miniseries The Helicopter Heist.

Guy Henry plays Paul Channon

Inquire about Paul Channon: Who exactly is this individual known as Paul Channon? He holds the position of a Member of Parliament (MP) in the Conservative party and served as Transport Minister. He drew significant criticism for taking a vacation mere days following a tragic incident, after which he was dismissed from his role approximately three months later.

Have I encountered Guy Henry somewhere previously? Guy is a familiar face on television, having played Cassius in an ancient Rome series, Dr. John Monro in Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, and most notably, the character Henrik Hanssen as a director of surgery in Holby City. He’s also appeared in two well-known film franchises, initially as Pius Thicknesse in the final Harry Potter movies and later as Grand Moff Tarkin in Rogue One.

Jemma Carlton plays Cathy Swire

Who is Cathy Swire, you ask? She was the final Swire family member to bid farewell to her sister Flora at Heathrow Airport. Currently, Cathy is a poet and has confessed that her father Jim’s relentless public advocacy left her feeling unable to express her own grief.

Have I encountered Jemma Carlton anywhere previously? Her debut screen role was playing Maxine Carr in a Channel 5 drama that focused on the teaching assistant who was found guilty of tampering with evidence in the Soham murders case. Since then, she has made appearances on The Cleaner sitcom and is due to appear in the upcoming boxing drama titled A Thousand Blows.

The cast also includes:

Mudar Abbara plays Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah

What is Al Amin Khalifa Fhimah known as? He served as a station manager for Libyan Arab Airlines and faced charges along with Megrahi regarding 270 counts of murder. However, following evidence that he was in Sweden during the bombing incident, he was found not guilty at his 2001 trial.

Have you come across Mudar Abbara in any TV shows or movies before? Since his filmography mainly consists of short films, he has also made appearances on Holby City, had a minor role in the movie The Swimmers (an Olympian refugee tale), and portrayed a bully in London drama titled The Burning Chicken.

Nabil Al Raee plays Colonel Gaddafi

What is known about Colonel Gaddafi? He was the leader of Libya from 1969 until his death by assassination in 2011. He resisted handing over Fhimah and Megrahi to British law enforcement after they were identified as the main suspects in a case. Despite asserting that Libya had no role, the country eventually paid $2.7 billion to the families of the victims in 2009.

Have I encountered Nabil Al Raee in any of his past performances? His acting credits include roles in the talent competition series “The Idol”, the suspenseful drama “200 Meters”, and the war-themed story “The Teacher”.

Mark Bonnar plays Roderick McGill

Have you encountered Mark Bonnar in any recent British television shows? Given his extensive acting career, it’s more likely that you’ve seen him on a British TV show from the last 20 years rather than one where he hasn’t made an appearance! From Casualty and Catastrophe to Line of Duty and Law & Order: UK, the Scotsman has graced numerous series across this time frame.

As a passionate film enthusiast, I’ve had the privilege of playing supporting roles for quite some time. However, my journey took an exciting turn when I stepped into the leading role of the critically-acclaimed thriller Guilt, a hit-and-run drama that left audiences spellbound. Beyond the silver screen, I’ve been fortunate enough to portray characters in Napoleon and Operation Mincemeat, appeared in Quiz, The Rig, and World on Fire, and even lent my voice to video game characters in Battlefield 1 and Assassin’s Creed Valhalla.

On the 2nd of January, 2025, the intriguing series ‘Lockerbie: A Search for Truth’ will air on Sky Atlantic and NOW. Learn how to subscribe to Sky TV to catch this exciting show.

2025-01-02 12:06