A FILM crew will be in the centre of Lockerbie next week making a new drama on the disaster — but they are promising ‘sensitivity and respect’.
World Productions are behind the latest show, which will initially air on the BBC, although a release date has not yet been set.
They are going to be shooting external and internal scenes of the town hall on Friday May 31, between 8 am and 6 pm.
As well as the cast and crew, there will be up to 14 vans carrying equipment.
However, the plans have caused some concern locally with residents taking to social media to air their views.
Responding, a spokesperson for the series, which is
a co-production with Netflix, yesterday said: “Lockerbie is a factual drama about the investigation into the 1988 tragedy, based on detailed research and first-hand testimony from those close to it.
“Following consultation with representatives and residents from the local area, some scenes from later in the series – focusing on how the community remembered those who lost their lives – are due to film across two days at public memorial sites.
“No scenes which in any way recreate the night of the disaster itself will be filmed in or close to Lockerbie. We are making this series with the utmost sensitivity and respect.”
And they highlighted the company’s “strong record of producing factual dramas in a sensitive and respectful manner” – including United, the story of the Munich air disaster, and Anne, the drama about Hillsborough mother and justice campaigner Anne Williams.
Dumfries and Galloway Council have been closely involved in the decision to film locally and World Productions say they are also working with some of the families and individuals affected by the 1988 tragedy.
Although the series will not re-create the bombing or actual crash, it will depict the aftermath and arrival of first response teams and investigators, with these parts filmed elsewhere in Scotland.
‘Lockerbie’ is written by Jonathan Lee and the cast includes Patrick J Adams, Peter Mullan, Eddie Marsan, Phyllis Logan, Tony Curran and Connor Swindells.
The show synopsis reads: “Lockerbie will focus on the investigation into the crash on both sides of the Atlantic and the devastating effect it had on the small town and the families who lost loved ones.
“From the initial exhaustive search for evidence on the ground in Scotland, via the US and Malta to the trial at Camp Zeist in 2000, the drama takes us right up to the most recent indictment at the end of 2022.”
