Series synopsis
Death by Lightning is an American drama crime television series that premiered on Netflix on November 6, 2025. It ended on November 6, 2025. It was created by Mike Makowsky. It stars Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Nick Offerman and Shea Whigham.
The story of James Garfield, who rose from obscurity to become America's 20th President — and Charles Guiteau, the man who assassinated him.
Premise
The story of James Garfield, who rose from obscurity to become America's 20th President — and Charles Guiteau, the man who assassinated him.
Cast and characters
Leading cast
- Michael Shannon as James Garfield
- Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Guiteau
- Nick Offerman as Chester A. Arthur
- Shea Whigham as Roscoe Conkling
- Bradley Whitford as James Blaine
- Betty Gilpin as Crete Garfield
- Alfie Tempest as Irvin Garfield
- Anders Grundberg as Abram Garfield
Supporting cast
- Dylan Hughes as Jim Garfield Jr.
- Jack Alldridge as Harry Garfield
- Andrew Hefler as Tom Platt
- David Nykl as Levi Morton
- Archie Fisher as Joe Brown
- Laura Marcus as Mollie Garfield
Guest cast
- Tuppence Middleton as Kate Sprague
- Vondie Curtis-Hall as Frederick Douglass
- Paula Malcomson as Franny Scoville
- Barry Shabaka Henley as Blanche Bruce
- Dominic Applewhite as Grier
- Nicholas Woodeson as Loeffler
- Daniel Gosling as Foster
- Christine Grace Szarkó as Dr. Susan Edson
- Stuart Milligan as Chairman Hoar
- Mary Angiolillo as Desk Matron
- Roy McCrerey as Alabama Man
- Andrew Van Wilpe as Arkansas Man
Episodes
This series spans 1 season with 4 episodes.
| Season | Episodes | First aired | Last aired |
|---|---|---|---|
| Season 1 | 4 | November 6, 2025 | November 6, 2025 |
| Episode | Title | Air date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
The Man from Ohio At the 1880 Republican National Convention, the lives of Ohio Congressman James Garfield and newly released convict Charles Guiteau are forever altered. |
November 6, 2025 |
| 2 |
Party Faithful In the runup to Election Day, Garfield welcomes the nation to his front porch, while Guiteau struggles to ingratiate himself with Party leadership. |
November 6, 2025 |
| 3 |
Casus Belli Treachery from within the White House complicates Garfield's attempts to appoint a Cabinet. Guiteau tries everything to secure a Presidential audience. |
November 6, 2025 |
Production
Release
| Original network/platform | Netflix |
|---|---|
| First aired | November 6, 2025 |
| Last aired | November 6, 2025 |
| Runtime | 53 minutes |
| Status | ended |