James A. Garfield, his assassin, front and center in ‘Death by Lightning’
Mike Makowsky spent months securing government approval to view original historical materials, so it’s little surprise that his new Netflix limited series opens with a meticulous re-creation of events surrounding Charles J. Guiteau. Recently released, the four-part production explores the intertwined lives of the 20th U.S. president, James A. Garfield, and his assassin, Guiteau.
Garfield’s residence in Mentor now serves as the James A. Garfield National Historic Site, overseen by the National Park Service. Through detailed storytelling, the series captures the turbulent end of Garfield’s presidency, cut short in 1881 by Guiteau’s actions.
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.” It stars Michael Shannon as the principled Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as the unstable Guiteau.
“Death by Lightning” portrays a haunting intersection of ambition, delusion, and political history through two contrasting men whose paths fatally converged.
Author’s Summary
A compelling historical drama retelling the intertwined fates of President James A. Garfield and his assassin, exploring power, obsession, and tragedy in post–Civil War America.