Netflix’s Assassination Drama ‘Death by Lightning’ Is a Sobering Historical Account
Netflix’s latest limited series is a political thriller that chronicles the life and assassination of James Garfield, the 20th President of the United States. The show is adapted from Candice Millard’s 2011 book, Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President.
Series Overview
“Death by Lightning” explores the story of President James Garfield and Charles Guiteau, the man who assassinated him. Created by Mike Makowsky (known for Bad Education) and executive produced by David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, the series consists of four episodes. It functions both as a historical reflection and a grim warning.
The Opening Scene
The story begins in 1969 at the Army Medical Museum, where workers are startled to find a jar fall from a dusty box. Inside is the brain of Charles J. Guiteau (played by Matthew Macfadyen), preserved for nearly a century. This moment sparks the narrative to shift back to 1880.
Historical Context
- Charles Guiteau is shown completing another prison term for false pretenses and evasion.
- Meanwhile, in Ohio, Civil War veteran and Congressman James Garfield (played by Michael Shannon) is called away from his family farm to attend the Republican National Convention in Chicago.
“Death by Lightning” serves as a sobering reminder of a significant but often overlooked chapter in American history.
Author’s Summary: The series compellingly revisits the tragic assassination of President Garfield, blending historical fact with dramatic storytelling to illuminate a neglected story from America’s past.