⚡Death by Lightning (2025): Netflix’s Gripping Historical Thriller About the President Struck Down by Fate— Release Date, Cast, Plot & Everything You Need to Know

Death by Lightning: Netflix’s Historical Thriller About the President Struck Down by Fate

“Assassination can no more be guarded against than death by lightning; it is best not to worry about either.” — President James Garfield

This haunting quote sets the tone for Netflix’s latest prestige limited series, Death by Lightning, premiering November 6, 2025. The four-episode historical drama stars Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen in a gripping retelling of the shocking true story of President James A. Garfield, America’s 20th president, and Charles J. Guiteau, the man who both admired and murdered him.

From executive producers David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (Game of Thrones, 3 Body Problem) and creator Mike Makowsky (Bad Education), Death by Lightning transforms a nearly forgotten chapter of American history into a searing portrait of power, obsession, and tragedy.

Streaming only on Netflix, this series promises to strike audiences with both emotional thunder and historical authenticity.

⚡

🇺🇸 The Story: Power, Madness, and a President’s Final Days

Set in 1881, Death by Lightning follows James Garfield (Michael Shannon) — a man who rose from poverty to the highest office in the land — and the deranged admirer who would end his presidency after only 200 days.

Garfield’s rise was nothing short of miraculous: a scholar, soldier, and statesman who never sought power, yet found himself standing at America’s crossroads, where corruption and progress battled for the nation’s soul.

But in the shadow of his success stood Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen) — a delusional man who believed divine destiny had bound his fate to Garfield’s. What began as admiration turned to madness, leading to one of the most shocking acts of political violence in U.S. history.

“The theme of corruption in politics and our bureaucracy feels particularly evergreen these days,” says creator Mike Makowsky.

As Garfield fought to reform America’s spoils system and dismantle political corruption, Guiteau’s obsession boiled over — a chilling reflection of how fragile democracy can be when power meets delusion.

⚖️ Based on “Destiny of the Republic”

Death by Lightning is inspired by Candice Millard’s 2011 Pulitzer Prize–nominated book, Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of

Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President.

Millard’s work doesn’t just recount Garfield’s assassination — it explores how politics, medicine, and human pride intertwined to seal his fate. After being shot, Garfield survived for months, only to die due to the misguided medical practices of his time.

The series captures that haunting truth: Garfield wasn’t killed by the bullet alone — but by the era’s arrogance, ignorance, and ambition.

🌩️ The Cast: Icons of Power and Tragedy

Netflix has assembled an electrifying ensemble of Hollywood’s finest.

🔹 Main Cast

• Michael Shannon (Waco, Nocturnal Animals) as President James A. Garfield — a reluctant leader caught between duty and decay.

• Matthew Macfadyen (Succession, Pride & Prejudice) as Charles Guiteau — the assassin whose delusions rewrote history.

• Nick Offerman (The Last of Us, Fargo) as Vice President Chester A. Arthur, the man thrust into power by fate.

• Betty Gilpin (Mrs. Davis, GLOW) as First Lady Lucretia Garfield, a woman of grace standing firm amid heartbreak.

• Bradley Whitford (The West Wing, Get Out) as James Blaine, Garfield’s loyal Secretary of State.

• Shea Whigham (Boardwalk Empire, Joker) as Senator Roscoe Conkling, the political rival fueling Washington’s corruption.

  
  

🔹 Supporting Cast

The series also stars Paula Malcomson, Tuppence Middleton, Barry Shabaka Henley, Željko Ivanek, Vondie Curtis-Hall, and Kyle Soller, rounding out a powerhouse cast that breathes new life into a forgotten era.

🎬 The Minds Behind the Madness

Mike Makowsky, who serves as writer and showrunner, spent six years developing this project after being captivated by Millard’s book.

“It was one of the most insane true stories I’d ever heard — tragic, moving, and darkly absurd,” Makowsky says.

The show’s entire run is directed by Matt Ross (Captain Fantastic, Gaslit), while David Benioff and D.B. Weiss bring their signature intensity to the production, alongside Bernie Caulfield (Game of Thrones, 3 Body Problem).

Together, they craft a story that is both deeply human and politically resonant — a cautionary tale that still echoes through the corridors of modern power.

🕰️ Themes: Then and Now

Though Death by Lightning is set nearly 150 years ago, its themes feel uncomfortably modern. It explores:

• Political corruption — and the endless fight to reform it.

• The cult of personality, where admiration turns into obsession.

• Medical arrogance, showing how “help” can become harm.

• Media and myth, shaping how history remembers tragedy.

In a time when America stood at a crossroads between progress and decay, Garfield’s story becomes a mirror reflecting today’s own divisions — reminding us that every democracy is only as strong as its conscience.

📺 Release Date and Streaming Details

⚡ Death by Lightning

• Premiere Date: November 6, 2025

• Episodes: 4 (Limited Series)

• Streaming Platform: Netflix

• Genre: Historical Drama, Political Thriller

Prepare for a gripping ride through America’s most shocking true story — one filled with ambition, delusion, and destiny.

💬 Final Thoughts: When History Strikes Twice

Death by Lightning isn’t just a retelling of Garfield’s assassination — it’s a meditation on power, morality, and madness. It’s about how one man tried to purify politics, another tried to claim divine purpose, and how both were destroyed by the lightning strike of history.

As Garfield’s own words echo across time —

“It is best not to worry about death by lightning.”

He couldn’t have known how prophetic they’d become.

When Death by Lightning arrives on Netflix this November, prepare to witness history at its most human — flawed, tragic, and unforgettable.