Netflix’s Assassination Drama ‘Death by Lightning’ Is a Sobering Historical Account
Netflix’s latest limited series is a political thriller about the life and assassination of James Garfield, the 20th President of the United States. It adapts Candice Millard’s 2011 book, Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President.
Series Overview
“Death by Lightning” portrays both President Garfield and his assassin, Charles Guiteau, shedding light on a lesser-known chapter of American history. The four-part series was created by Mike Makowsky, known for “Bad Education,” and is executive produced by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss of “Game of Thrones” fame.
Opening Scene
The show begins in 1969 at the Army Medical Museum, where workers discover a jar containing the brain of Charles J. Guiteau, Garfield’s assassin, which had been stored away for nearly 100 years.
Story Setting
The narrative then rewinds to 1880, introducing Charles Guiteau as he finishes a prison sentence for fraud and evading arrest. At the same time, in Ohio, Civil War veteran and Congressman James Garfield is called from his family farm to the Republican National Convention in Chicago.
“Death by Lightning” serves as both a historical remembrance and a somber warning.
Michael Shannon stars as James Garfield, and Matthew Macfadyen portrays Charles Guiteau.
Author’s summary: The series offers a gripping depiction of James Garfield’s presidency and assassination, blending historical detail with compelling drama to revive a forgotten American story.