James A. Garfield and His Assassin Featured in Netflix Series “Death by Lightning”
Mike Makowsky dedicated months to obtaining government permission to access original materials, making it fitting that his new Netflix limited series, Death by Lightning, begins with a detailed re-creation of Charles J.
This recently released four-part series intertwines the stories of James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, and Charles Guiteau, the man who assassinated him in 1881. Garfield’s home in Mentor is now the James A. Garfield National Historic Site, preserved 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 includes Michael Shannon as the principled Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as the unstable Guiteau.
"Death by Lightning tells the parallel stories of the 20th president of the United States, James A. Garfield, and Guiteau, the man who, in 1881, assassinated him, bringing Garfield’s stewardship of the country to an early end."
Cast and Source Material
- Michael Shannon plays James A. Garfield, a president marked by integrity.
- Matthew Macfadyen portrays Charles Guiteau, the deranged assassin.
- The series is based on Candice Millard’s 2011 book Destiny of the Republic.
Historical Setting
The show captures the final months of Garfield's presidency and his tragic assassination, set against the backdrop of 1880s America. His historical home in Mentor serves as a significant location and museum today.
Significance of the Series
Death by Lightning offers a gripping dramatization of a pivotal moment in American history, shedding light on the intertwined lives of a president and his assassin.
Author’s summary: The series Death by Lightning dramatizes the intertwined fates of President James A. Garfield and his assassin Charles Guiteau, bringing history vividly to life through detailed storytelling and strong performances.