Netflix’s Death By Lightning isn’t your typical historical drama. Starting with a brain in a jar discovered in 1969 and set to Sly and the Family Stone, creator Mike Makowsky transforms President James Garfield’s assassination into a compelling limited series that’s equal parts tragedy, dark comedy, and forgotten American history.
After seven years of development, this unconventional period piece features Michael Shannon as the ill-fated president and Matthew Macfadyen as his delusional assassin, Charles Guiteau. Here’s everything you need to know about the series that has history nerds and Netflix viewers equally obsessed.
Table of Contents
Death By Lightning: Series Quick Facts
| Element | Details |
|---|---|
| Creator/Writer | Mike Makowsky |
| Lead Stars | Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen |
| Supporting Cast | Betty Gilpin, Nick Offerman, Vondie Curtis-Hall |
| Format | Limited Series |
| Based On | “Destiny of the Republic” by Candice Millard |
| Development Time | 7 years |
| Unique Feature | Opens with assassin’s brain discovery |
| Available On | Netflix |
The Forgotten President Who Could’ve Changed America
James Garfield remains one of history’s biggest “what ifs.” As Makowsky explains, “It was the promise of a potentially generational leader that, as a nation, we were tragically robbed of.”
Garfield embodied the American Dream – rising from abject poverty through fierce intelligence and merit. He championed Black suffrage, universal public education, and civil service reform at a time when such positions were radical. Yet most Americans have never heard of him.
“Where are the James Garfields now?” Makowsky asks, highlighting how the 20th president’s progressive nobility distinguished him not just from 1881 politicians, but from today’s leaders.
Michael Shannon’s Electric Performance
When Shannon arrived for his first day shooting the Republican convention speech, director Matt Ross told all actors to simply read lines for blocking rehearsal – no performance needed.
Shannon had other plans.
“He goes up to the podium and recites it word-perfect from memory as James Garfield,” Makowsky recalls. “It just sends chills up all our spines. That’s the president.”
The three-page speech, approximately 70% actual Garfield verbiage with modernized language, showcases why an unknown candidate could inspire convention attendees to shout “We want Garfield!” Shannon captures the fire of Garfield’s preacher background while conveying the PTSD trauma that haunted Civil War survivors.
Charles Guiteau: Tragic Villain or Delusional Anti-Hero?
Matthew Macfadyen brings unexpected complexity to presidential assassin Charles Guiteau, a man whose brain literally opens the series.
The Brain That Started Everything: Makowsky fought to keep the opening scene where 1969 construction workers discover Guiteau’s preserved brain, despite production pressure to remove it. “It makes a statement early that this isn’t your great-grandfather’s period piece.”
Meeting the Real Brain: In perhaps the interview’s wildest revelation, Makowsky obtained government permission to visit Guiteau’s actual brain at a Maryland army base. The jar sits near filing cabinets containing Guiteau’s complete skeleton – stored directly above Ham the space chimp’s remains.
“The space chimp and Charles Guiteau are neighbors, which feels oddly fitting,” Makowsky laughs.
Betty Gilpin’s Powerful Final Speech
The series concludes with Lucretia Garfield (Betty Gilpin) delivering a devastating condemnation to Guiteau: no one will remember him for killing her husband.
“What scared Guiteau more than his impending death was the idea that he would not be remembered well,” Makowsky explains. The speech serves as both Garfield’s honest elegy and Guiteau’s final rejection.
Gilpin’s preparation and emotional depth made the scene an “indelible proposition” – giving Lucretia Garfield agency often denied to historical women.
Why Death By Lightning Matters Now
History Repeating: The show arrives as America again faces political division, making Garfield’s post-Civil War healing message eerily relevant.
Unconventional Storytelling: Opening with a 1969 brain discovery and Sly and the Family Stone signals this isn’t standard period drama – it’s history made accessible and entertaining.
Debate-Worthy Content: As Makowsky notes, seeing Netflix viewers debate the merits of James Garfield and Chester Arthur represents “a dream come true for a history nerd.”
For more Netflix original series insights and historical drama reviews, explore our entertainment coverage. Stream Death By Lightning exclusively on Netflix.
The Cast That Brings History to Life
Beyond Shannon and Macfadyen, the ensemble includes:
- Nick Offerman as Vice President Chester A. Arthur
- Vondie Curtis-Hall as Frederick Douglass
- Betty Gilpin as Lucretia Garfield
Each brings unexpected dimension to figures relegated to textbook footnotes.
FAQs
Is Death By Lightning historically accurate?
The series maintains strong historical fidelity while modernizing dialogue for accessibility. Creator Mike Makowsky based the show on Candice Millard’s meticulously researched book “Destiny of the Republic.” Garfield’s convention speech is approximately 70% actual verbiage with condensed, modernized language. The show accurately depicts Garfield’s PTSD from the Civil War, his progressive political stances, and the bizarre circumstances of Guiteau’s assassination plot, though some dramatic license enhances storytelling.
Why did Mike Makowsky choose to open with Guiteau’s brain discovery in 1969?
Makowsky refused to remove this scene despite production pressure because it immediately signals Death By Lightning isn’t a traditional period piece. Opening in 1969 with Sly and the Family Stone, showing construction workers discovering a mysterious brain, creates intrigue while emphasizing how forgotten this history has become – even in 1969, the workers had never heard of Charles Guiteau. The framing device also allows the series to explore both the assassination itself and its long-term impact on American history.
