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Netflix's 'Death by Lightning' Explores Garfield's Assassination

11/7/2025

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Summary

Story summary

Netflix released a four-part miniseries, Death by Lightning, about the assassination of President James A. Garfield by Charles Guiteau.
Michael Shannon portrays Guiteau and Matthew Macfadyen portrays Garfield, and the series is based on Candice Millard's book.
The show has an 89% Rotten Tomatoes score from nine reviews, critics praise the performances and its relevance to today's political climate, and all episodes are streaming on Netflix.

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Story summary

Netflix released a four-part miniseries, Death by Lightning, about the assassination of President James A. Garfield by Charles Guiteau.
Michael Shannon portrays Guiteau and Matthew Macfadyen portrays Garfield, and the series is based on Candice Millard's book.
The show has an 89% Rotten Tomatoes score from nine reviews, critics praise the performances and its relevance to today's political climate, and all episodes are streaming on Netflix.