James A. Garfield and His Assassin in ‘Death by Lightning’
Mike Makowsky spent months securing government permission to access original materials, making it fitting that his new Netflix limited series, Death by Lightning, opens with a detailed re-creation of Charles J. Guiteau’s assassination of President James A. Garfield.
The recently released four-part series traces parallel narratives: James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, and Guiteau, the man who ended Garfield’s presidency prematurely in 1881. Garfield’s home in Mentor is preserved today as the James A. Garfield National Historic Site by the National Park Service.
Makowsky adapted the series from Candice Millard’s acclaimed 2011 book, Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President. The cast features Michael Shannon as the principled Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen portraying the disturbed Guiteau.
"Death by Lightning begins with a re-creation of Charles J. Guiteau’s assassination of President Garfield."
"Makowsky adapted the series from Candice Millard’s well-regarded 2011 book, Destiny of the Republic."
Series Highlights
- Four-part Netflix limited series recently released
- Stars Michael Shannon as James A. Garfield
- Features Matthew Macfadyen as Charles J. Guiteau
- Draws on historical settings, including Garfield’s preserved Mentor home
Source Material
The series is based on Candice Millard’s 2011 historical biography that explores themes of madness, medicine, and presidential murder.
Historical Context
James A. Garfield’s presidency ended abruptly in 1881 due to Guiteau’s assassination, an event that shaped American history and is now detailed through this dramatized production.
Summary: This series explores the intertwined fates of President Garfield and his assassin with rich historical detail, bringing a pivotal moment in U.S. history vividly to life.