Michael Shannon plays James Garfield, and Matthew Macfadyen plays Charles Guiteau in Netflix’s Death by Lightning. The four-episode limited drama follows Garfield’s rise to the presidency and Guiteau, his admirer who assassinated him. Here’s who else is in the cast and the historical figures and family members they portray.
Who plays James Garfield and Charles Guiteau?
Michael Shannon plays James Garfield, the Ohio congressman who became the 20th president of the United States. Netflix Tudum describes Garfield as an underdog who reaches the presidency before becoming the target of an assassin’s bullet.
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Matthew Macfadyen plays Charles Guiteau, the political office-seeker who became obsessed with Garfield and assassinated him. Netflix frames Guiteau as both Garfield’s admirer and his killer. The Netflix Media Center logline calls the series the true story of the “reluctant 20th president of the United States” and his “greatest admirer Charles Guiteau — the man who would come to kill him.”
Who is in the supporting cast?
Netflix Tudum’s series overview lists these actor-role pairings:
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| Actor | Person portrayed |
|---|---|
| Betty Gilpin | Crete Garfield, First Lady and James Garfield’s wife |
| Nick Offerman | Chester Arthur, Garfield’s vice president |
| Bradley Whitford | James Blaine, senator |
| Shea Whigham | Roscoe Conkling, senator |
| Paula Malcomson | Franny Scoville, Guiteau’s sister |
| Tuppence Middleton | Kate Chase Sprague |
| Archie Fisher | Joe Brown |
| Laura Marcus | Mollie Garfield, daughter of James and Crete Garfield |
| Barry Shabaka Henley | Blanche Bruce, senator |
| Željko Ivanek | Dr. Bliss |
| Kyle Soller | Robert Todd Lincoln |
| Ben Miles | George Scoville |
| Vondie Curtis-Hall | Frederick Douglass |
| Shaun Parkes | Dr. Charles Purvis |
| Alistair Petrie | John Sherman |
What is Death by Lightning based on?
The series is based on Candice Millard’s 2011 nonfiction book, Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President. The book is a nonfiction account and offers a way to explore the history behind the dramatization; it should not be treated as interchangeable with the series.
Why is it called Death by Lightning?
Netflix Tudum says the title refers to a line attributed to Garfield: “Assassination can be no more guarded against than death by lightning. And it is best not to worry too much about either one.” This is the attribution Netflix provides; the wording is not independently verified here against a primary historical document.
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How many episodes are there, and where can you watch?
Netflix lists Death by Lightning as a 2025 limited drama series with four episodes, and Tudum says all four are available to stream on Netflix. Streaming availability can vary by region and change, so check Netflix’s local title page for current access.
The actor-role pairings above identify the cast as Netflix presents it. They establish who the series portrays, not whether every scene or historical detail is accurate.
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