Everything you need to know about Bombing of Pan Am 103 star James Harkness

The Bombing of Pan Am 103 is well underway. We are four episodes into the six-part drama about the 1988 terror attack that took place above Lockerbie, Scotland.

The disaster claimed the lives of 270 people, including every passenger and crew member aboard Pan Am Flight 103 as well as 11 Lockerbie residents.

The series also stars Sex Education‘s Connor Swindells as well as Patrick J. Adams, Merritt Wever, Peter Mullan, Tony Curran, and Eddie Marsan.

Also in the cast is the actor, James Harkness, who plays DS Sandy Gay, a Scottish police officer involved in the investigations around Lockerbie.

Here’s everything we know about the actor.

Jack Harkness is from Glasgow

Harkness was born and raised in Gorbals, a part of Glasgow with a history of deprivation and social issues. He previously told the Press Association, it was a “real rough stick, but I love where I come from.”

He was attacked with an axe on his 18th birthday

During an appearance on the The Two Shot podcast to promote The Nest, the actor shared the attack took place as part of an argument over a stolen phone.

He said he’d brought the axe himself but it was taken from him by a Pollokshaws gang member and used against him.

However, he also said he doesn’t hold it against his attacker but it has caused him panic attacks in the past. He then turned to acting as a way out from violence.

Jack Harkness trained in London

After turning away from violence he joined the Glasgow Citizens Youth Theatre. He was then scouted by the National Theatre before training at The London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

He was a member of the 2019 BAFTA Elevate Actors class

In 2019, Harkness was picked as one of 21 actors from a range of races, abilities and socio-economic backgrounds.

Harkness attributes some of his focus to his Uncle

Before acting, James Harkness worked multiple jobs including with his Uncle Arthur in a garage. “He taught me so much,” he told the Herald Scotland in 2015.

“He taught me you can do anything if you put your mind to it. I could do everything except electrics.”

He’s starred in a number of things besides The Bombing of Pan Am 103

You may recognise Harkness from roles in Silent Witness, The Nest, and The English Game. He has also starred in films such as Rogue One and also Spencer.

He’s married

His spouse is Tanya Harkness.

You can catch up with The Bombing of Pan Am 103 on iPlayer here.