Matthew Macfadyen is about to change the world in the official trailer for Netflix's historical thriller Death by Lightning. Created by Mike Makowsky
Matthew Macfadyen is about to change the world in the official trailer for Netflix’s historical thriller Death by Lightning. Created by Mike Makowsky based on Candice Millard‘s novel, Destiny of the Republic, the four-part miniseries is set to tell the story of America’s strangest assassination, with a whole host of stars embodying the key political players. At the center is the Succession star as Charles Guiteau, the greatest admirer of President James A. Garfield, played by Michael Shannon, and also his eventual killer. Each episode is one part of their inevitable collision course, showing what spurred Guiteau to take the fateful shot that would ultimately cut the presidency brief.
The footage opens at the Republican National Convention, where the energy is palpable around the then-candidate Garfield and his pledge to excise the rot within the party. All the momentum would carry him to the presidency, much to the joy of supporters witnessing his first address, including a tearful Guiteau. From his early declaration that he works in politics, there are hints at Guiteau’s delusions about his role in getting Garfield elected. He believed he was owed a job in the president’s administration and a chance to facilitate shape the country alongside the man he so desperately looked up to. As Garfield tries his best to inspire hope in the American people and bring his roots to the Oval Office, Guiteau tries to scratch and claw his way in despite constant resistance. The increasing tension in the air reaches a crescendo when the man purchases a pistol with the intent to show Garfield and everyone around him who he is.
Guiteau and Garfield are far from the only forces at play in Death by Lightning. Also featured prominently in the trailer is Chester A. Arthur (Nick Offerman), Garfield’s Vice President, who understands the need to fight tooth and nail for any semblance of power and status. Garfield’s family, including his wife/advisor, Crete (Betty Gilpin), also has a role to play as a reminder of the values this modern president governs with. Rounding out the main players are Shea Whigham as Roscoe Conkling and Bradley Whitford as James Blaine. With so many wills pushing against each other, there will be drama, scandal, and unrest abound in the government of Gilded Age America.
Who Else Is on Board for ‘Death by Lightning’?
Further bolstering the cast of Death by Lightning is a long list of guest stars, including Alistair Petrie, Archie Fisher, Barry Shabaka Henley, Ben Miles, Kyle Soller, Laura Marcus, Paula Malcomson, Shaun Parkes, Tuppence Middleton, Vondie Curtis Hall, and Željko Ivanek. In addition to the Bad Education writer Makowsky at the helm, the circumscribed series reunites Netflix with the 3 Body Problem trio of David Benioff, D.B. Weiss, and Bernie Caulfield, who are all attached as executive producers. Completing the electric artistic team is director Matt Ross, who previously helmed the quirky Viggo Mortensen-led comedy-drama Captain Fantastic.
Death by Lightning premieres all four episodes on Netflix on November 6. Check out the trailer in the player above.
Release Date
November 6, 2025
Network
Netflix
Writers
Mike Makowsky
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