The BBC has announced a feature-length documentary, The Brighton Bomb, to mark the 40th anniversary of the 1984 bombing in Brighton, one of the IRA’s most significant attacks on mainland Britain during the Troubles. The film, produced by the makers of the award-winning Once Upon A Time In Northern Ireland, includes exclusive testimony from those involved and affected by the atrocity.
The bombing, targeting Margaret Thatcher, resulted in a devastating explosion at the Grand Hotel, killing five people and injuring 31 others. Patrick Magee, who received eight life sentences for his role in the attack, served 14 years before being released in 1999 as part of the Good Friday agreement. In 2022, Magee gave an in-depth interview about his involvement, providing new insights into the incident.
The documentary features contributions from individuals directly impacted by the bombing, including Edward and Jo Berry, whose father was killed, and John Gummer, former Conservative Party Chairman, who was with Thatcher at the time. It also includes interviews with a Special Branch Surveillance Officer and an eyewitness, offering a comprehensive perspective on the attack and its aftermath.
The documentary is directed by Guy King and executive produced by James Bluemel, Will Anderson, and Rachel Hooper. It is produced for BBC Two by KEO Films and Walk on Air.
