Acting Up: 'Death by Lightning': Michael Shannon & Matthew Macfadyen Electrify in Netflix’s Forgotten-History Thriller

Acting Up: 'Death by Lightning'

Michael Shannon & Matthew Macfadyen Electrify in Netflix’s Forgotten-History Thriller

Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen deliver powerful performances in Netflix’s Death by Lightning, a gripping historical drama that revives the overlooked story of President James Garfield’s assassination with sharp, grounded storytelling.

The Snapshot

The series tells the true story of James Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, and his assassin, Charles Guiteau, focusing on the events of 1881. All four episodes of Death by Lightning are currently streaming on Netflix.

The Performance

The show opens with a chyron noting that the two central figures have largely been forgotten. Garfield served as president for only a few months and achieved little, but he remains one of the 45 men to have held the office. While his name is mostly unknown outside of American history scholars, the series portrays their story with respectful accuracy.

Writer Mike Makowsky adapts the nonfiction book by Candice Millard, maintaining truthfulness while capturing the story’s inherent drama. The historical facts provide a compelling narrative without substantial fiction.

Michael Shannon portrays Garfield, and Matthew Macfadyen plays Guiteau, their performances bringing depth to the unfolding drama.

"The real details are enough to tell a compelling story without having to fudge too much."

Death by Lightning stands out as a striking retelling of a nearly forgotten chapter in American history.

Author's summary: This series revives a little-known presidential story through authentic storytelling and standout performances by Shannon and Macfadyen.

Casting Networks — 2025-11-03