One of the ‘most underrated dramas ever’ is dropping on ITV this month

Josie Copson

Published October 3, 2024 4:26pm Updated October 4, 2024 2:04pm

Pan Am stars Christina Ricci, Margot Robbie, Karine Vanasse, and Kelli Garner in blue air hostess uniforms — Pan Am is coming to ITV (Picture: ABC)

Soon viewers will be able to indulge in some Pan Am bingeing thanks to ITV’s acquisition.

The broadcaster has been able to secure the UK rights, so all the episodes of the hit period drama will be available to stream on ITVX from October 28. This is good news for long-term fans of the underrated show, and those who’ve not yet experienced it.

The programme initially began airing in 2011 on ABC, and starred a stellar lineup of Christina Ricci, Margot Robbie, Karine Vanasse, Kelli Garner, and Michael Mosley.

It followed the lives of air stewardesses and pilots in the 1960s working for the iconic US airline, Pan American World Airways, at the dawn of the Jet Age. As the fast, new luxury airliner takes to the air, the passengers and crew deal with romance, shifting societal values, and even international espionage. The launch episode was watched by 11 million people but then began to decline.

Despite being internationally recognised with the Golden Rose award for best series at the Rose d’Or Festival, which dishes out Europe’s most prestigious TV honours, it only managed 14 episodes before being cancelled.

Although its success meant that Amazon considered renewing for a second series, the conversations didn’t lead to a commission.

One of the most underrated dramas of last decade finally coming to ITV — Pan Am ran from 2011-2012 (Picture: BBC)

Despite, it being so short-lived, it found a loyal audience, who still celebrate the underrated episodes.

‘I love this show – never understood why it was cancelled,’ wrote EnvironmentalFudge90 on Reddit.

MainEgg320 fondly remembers the series, but still finds it disappointing it didn’t have longevity: ‘I hate when I find a show I love and it’s so quickly cancelled!!’

‘The first episode was excellent and characters are great. I can’t believe this was on ABC but I can believe they canceled it after one year because people who appreciate good quality storytelling don’t watch ABC,’ scathed Madmen.

LoisandClaire has said the TV series has impacted the way they still choose to watch TV to this day.

‘I watched when it aired so I don’t remember much except that I really enjoyed it and thus have vowed not to watch another 1st season after they cancelled it,’ she explained.

The cultural impact lead to Margot’s character Laura Cameron – a trainee stewardess, who walked out on her wedding – was even brought back for Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.

The 34-year-old briefly reprises the role of Laura on a Pan Am flight serving a cocktail, but her face is not shown.

Christina, who played Maggie Ryan, has previously shared her theory as to why it didn’t last longer.

‘I think it should not have been on network television. I think if that had been [on] a cable show or streaming, they would’ve been able to do so much more. Making a show about that period of time and having to be so PC, it doesn’t make sense, because there’s no substance there,’ she told The AV Club.

‘It was beautiful. It was really well made.’

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Pan Am is available to watch on ITVX from October 28.

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