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 and grounded storytelling.

The Snapshot

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

The Performance

At the beginning of this limited series, a title card states that both Garfield and Guiteau have been largely forgotten, which is mostly accurate. Garfield served as president for only a few months and achieved little during his brief tenure. Although somewhat overlooked, he remains one of only 45 U.S. presidents. His name is mostly recognized by those with advanced knowledge of American history.

Writer Mike Makowsky, adapting Candice Millard’s nonfiction book, approaches the story with faithfulness to the facts. The historical details provide a compelling narrative without much need for embellishment, bolstered by the outstanding acting of Michael Shannon as Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as Guiteau.

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

Author’s summary: This series masterfully sheds light on a forgotten chapter of American history through authentic storytelling and standout performances by its lead actors.

Casting Networks — 2025-11-04