Dramatizes the stranger-than-fiction true story of 20th U.S. President James Garfield, and admirer Charles Guiteau, who assassinated him.
Where to Watch Death by Lightning
- macaronzJune 11, 2026Death by Lightning is exceptionally well-made. As many know, it’s based on the true story of America’s 20th president, James A. Garfield, and his delusional admirer Charles Guiteau, who ultimately assassinated him. The historical events are beautifully executed, and while the entire cast delivers strong performances, Matthew Macfadyen completely steals the show for me. On top of that, the show's 1880s period setting and world-building are absolutely fantastic.
- Gracie SpoingusOctober 12, 2026Maybe 20% of this show actually happened, real world fantastical parts are made boring, and fantastic fiction is invented instead. Most egregious is the skewing of Guiteau to be an awkward, sympathetic character. In reality he was a nasty, heavily mentally disturbed man who had little interaction or impact on the Garfield campaign and still demanded a job (yes even less than in the show). The treatment of Garfield after the shooting is also very toned down, although the median viewer most likely does not have the stomach for what he underwent. That being said him refusing treatment near the end and dying in the embrace of his wife is disrespectful to his indignant death. About my only positive is the outstanding performance of Michael Shannon, about the only accurate thing in the entire show.
- thomasrogers753November 25, 2025I still believe that to this day Garfield could’ve been one of the greatest presidents of his time. I mean, there’s so much this man could’ve done and it is sad that he’ll forever be a what if an American history.
- russrev1ewsJanuary 18, 2026This could’ve been a great show, but it falls prey to the “Netflix syndrome.” What’s that? It’s when producers prioritize people “listening” to TV instead of watching it, so every thing gets over-explained, winked about, and overly stated. It’s sucks the energy and life out of visual story telling and really ruined this show. That said, Macfadyen was absolutist haunting and elevates his ability to portray a sociopath to the next beyond Wambsgans. Offerman as well does a splendid job with a bad script. Glad I watched, but dreading the fact that Netflix may one day own Warner Bros.
- hollistercrowleyNovember 19, 2025Excellent all around, the casting, direction, writing, costumes, sets are all brilliant. Golden Globes all around, especially Michael Shannon and Matthew MacFayden. The only bummer is that is was too short, but that’s only because it was such a pleasure to watch. The story was concise and fit perfectly into the four episodes. A moment in history that is not well known enough.
- NewFilmsAnonymousNovember 17, 2025"James Garfield only died because his doctor was a bigot and Chester Arthur only reformed because a woman slapped some sense into him." -Netflix
- Stephen SchlaackJanuary 7, 2026Michael Shannon continues to have even more range, damnit! And everyone else is incredible too! And the writing is great! I'll probably just have to keep watching more.
- Michael SurberNovember 14, 2025I'm already a big fan of period dramas like this one, especially based on real life events. Michael Shannon was incredible but MacFadyen was amazing. All the cast were spectacular, no one coasted thru this. The story itself was shockingly timely. Evidently, there are corrupt people in Washington DC! James Garfield was elected to clean the corruption up and was killed just three months into office. His VP was a drunk and tried to quit office but Garfield would not let him. Nick Offerman was brilliant in the role. The whole series is just four episodes so there's zero filler. Recommended.
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Death by Lightning has 1 season.
Death by Lightning has 4 episodes.
The key characters in Death by Lightning are James Garfield (Michael Shannon), Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), Chester A. Arthur (Nick Offerman).
Death by Lightning was directed by Matt Ross.
Death by Lightning was produced by Hameed Shaukat, Olly Robinson.
Dramatizes the stranger-than-fiction true story of 20th U.S. President James Garfield, and admirer Charles Guiteau, who assassinated him.
Death by Lightning is rated TV-MA.
Death by Lightning is a Biography, Drama, History show.
Death by Lightning has an audience rating of 8.7 out of 10.
Death by Lightning episodes are 53m long.
There is no information yet from the studio on if there will be another season.