The True Story Behind Netflix’s ‘Death by Lightning’ and the Assassination of James A. Garfield
Charles Guiteau’s bullet did not directly end the life of the 20th American president. It was ignorance, pride, and the medical practices of the era that ultimately proved fatal. Less than four months after taking office, President James A. Garfield faced a tragic fate when an assassin’s bullet struck him.
More than 120 years later, the impact of that moment continues to echo through both political and medical history. The Netflix limited series Death by Lightning, which debuted on Thursday, November 6, investigates Garfield’s assassination and its lasting consequences.
Inside the Netflix Series
This four-part series stars Michael Shannon as President Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as his killer, Charles Guiteau. It revisits the days and decisions that led up to the shooting and exposes how misguided medical efforts inadvertently sealed Garfield’s fate.
“Guiteau’s bullet didn’t kill the president—it was ignorance, pride, and the tools meant to save his life.”
Charles Guiteau’s Troubled Past
Charles Julius Guiteau was born in 1841 in Freeport, Illinois. His early life was marked by instability and loss. His mother, Jane, suffered from severe mental illness and died when he was about seven years old. His father, Luther, was a harsh and often abusive figure who raised Guiteau after her death.
The Motive Behind the Assassination
Guiteau, a disillusioned supporter of Garfield, believed he was owed a political appointment and saw himself as an agent of divine will. His frustration and delusion culminated in the fateful shooting that altered U.S. history.
The Netflix docuseries explores how this personal tragedy became a turning point for both the medical profession and the nation’s understanding of presidential security.
Author’s Summary: The series chronicles how James Garfield’s death, more a consequence of flawed medicine than a gunshot, reshaped American politics and healthcare understanding.