Death by Lightning

The story of James Garfield, who rose from obscurity to become America's 20th President — and Charles Guiteau, the man who assassinated him.

Death by Lightning (2025) is an American historical miniseries created by Mike Makowsky for Netflix, a four-episode limited series that interweaves two lives. Michael Shannon plays James Garfield, an obscure Ohio figure who rises to become America's 20th president, while Matthew Macfadyen plays Charles Guiteau, the restless drifter whose festering grievance drives him toward the crime that ends Garfield's brief term. Nick Offerman appears as Chester A. Arthur, and Shea Whigham and Bradley Whitford play the party bosses Roscoe Conkling and James Blaine, whose factional maneuvering defines the spoils system of the period. Each episode moves at a measured, dramatic pace, with the political machinery of 1880s Washington grinding against the private obsessions of the men at its center. The show is built on a single continuing story rather than case-of-the-week episodes, and it leaves little doubt about its outcome, so the viewing experience rests on dread and inevitability. The tone is sober and tense, with bursts of graphic violence. Fans of John Adams and Chernobyl will find resonance in its prestige treatment of real history and its close look at power and failure.

Audience reception is positive, praising the cast and the historical retelling of Garfield's rise and assassination.

• Chernobylshared period political history, presidential-era drama with a historical assassination at the center
• John Adamsshared historical biographical drama with real figures and a grounded, prestige limited-series register
• The Assassination of Gianni Versaceshared true-events political thriller tone around power, ambition and violence in government

Created by

Mike Makowsky

Release Date

2025-11-06

Episode runtime

53 min

Rating

7.6 / 10 (107)

What is Death by Lightning about?

A four-episode Netflix miniseries tracing James Garfield's rise to the presidency alongside the obsessive path of his assassin Charles Guiteau.

What is Death by Lightning like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Death by Lightning as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Death by Lightning violent?

Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Death by Lightning as moderate.

What did critics think of Death by Lightning?

Audience reception is positive, praising the cast and the historical retelling of Garfield's rise and assassination.

Which shows are like Death by Lightning?

Shows with a similar feel include Chernobyl, John Adams, and The Assassination of Gianni Versace.

How long is Death by Lightning?

Death by Lightning: 1 season, 4 episodes.

Is Death by Lightning still running?

No, Death by Lightning has ended.

Where can I watch Death by Lightning?

In United States, Death by Lightning streams on Netflix, Netflix Standard with Ads.