Netflix’s ’Death by Lightning’: Can a 19th Century Prez Survive More Than Just Thunderbolts?
Added on October 9, 2025 inTV News Cards
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Ah, Netflix is stirring the political pot again, but this time it’s not dragons or intergalactic brawls — we’re jetting back to the electrically charged 1880s! Ever wonder what happens when you mix the fiery intensity of a Scorpio with the raw unpredictability of a lightning strike? Well, “Death by Lightning” serves up just that kind of volatile energy, chronicling the tempestuous clash between President James Garfield and his assassin, Charles Guiteau. With Game of Thrones masterminds David Benioff and D.B. Weiss behind the scenes, plus a cast packed with the likes of Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen, this four-episode thriller promises to zap your expectations in the best way possible. Mark your calendars for November 6 — it’s gonna be a shocking ride. LEARN MORE
Netflix is traveling back to the 1880s — and its turbulent politics — in the trailer for its forthcoming series Death by Lightning.
The four-episode thriller, which counts Game of Thrones and 3 Body Problem co-creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss among its executive producers, tracks the lives of James Garfield (Michael Shannon), the 20th president of the United States, and Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), a great admirer of Garfield’s — who ends up becoming his assassin.
The series, created and written by Mike Makowsky (HBO’s Emmy-winning Bad Education) is based on Candice Millard’s book Destiny of the Republic. It’s set to premiere Nov. 6. Watch the trailer below.
Along with Shannon and Macfadyen, Death by Lightning’s core cast also includes Shea Whigham, Nick Offerman, Betty Gilpin and Bradley Whitford. Alistair Petrie, Archie Fisher, Barry Shabaka Henley, Ben Miles, Kyle Soller, Laura Marcus, Paula Malcomson, Shaun Parkes, Tuppence Middleton, Vondie Curtis Hall and Željko Ivanek have guest roles.
Netflix gave Death by Lightning a straight-to-series order in February 2024, with Macfadyen making the show one of his first TV commitments following Succession (he also has The Miniature Wife on deck at Peacock) — and there’s a definite Wambsgansian energy to his portrayal of Guiteau in the trailer.
Makowsky, Benioff and Weiss executive produce the series with Bernie Caulfield and director Matt Ross (Gaslit, Silicon Valley).
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