Netflix Unveils ‘Death by Lightning’ Trailer: Murder, Politics, and the 19th Century
Netflix today revealed its new series, Death by Lightning. The show focuses on James Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, and Charles Guiteau, a man who admired Garfield but eventually became his assassin.
The first trailer for the four-episode thriller has already been released, giving audiences a glimpse of the tense story ahead.
This is the story of President James Garfield and his greatest admirer Charles Guiteau, the man who would come to kill him.
— Netflix (@netflix) October 9, 2025
Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Nick Offerman, Betty Gilpin, Bradley Whitford and Shea Whigham star in Death By Lightning. Premiering November 6. pic.twitter.com/OGWlgbziaM
Michael Shannon stars as Garfield, while Matthew Macfadyen plays Guiteau. The series was created and written by Mike Makowsky, known for HBO’s Emmy-winning Bad Education, and is based on Candice Millard’s book Destiny of the Republic. Netflix confirmed that Death by Lightning will premiere on November 6.
“The series tracks the tense and dramatic events leading up to Garfield’s assassination,” a Netflix spokesperson said.
Alongside Shannon and Macfadyen, the show features a strong supporting cast including Shea Whigham, Nick Offerman, Betty Gilpin, and Bradley Whitford. Several other actors, including Alistair Petrie, Barry Shabaka Henley, Paula Malcomson, and Tuppence Middleton, appear in guest roles.
Netflix ordered the series straight to production in February 2024. This project marks one of Macfadyen’s first major TV roles after Succession. Executive producers include Makowsky, David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, Bernie Caulfield, and director Matt Ross, who previously worked on Gaslit and Silicon Valley.
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