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Limited Series – Death by Lightning

Play trailer 2:11 Poster for Limited Series – Death by Lightning Nov 2025 History Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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90% Tomatometer 69 Reviews 86% Popcornmeter 250+ Ratings
Presenting the story of James Garfield, who rose from obscurity to become America's 20th President and Charles Guiteau, the man who assassinated him.
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Death by Lightning — Limited Series

Death by Lightning — Limited Series

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Critics Consensus

Handsomely mounted and electrified by Matthew Macfadyen's masterclass in slimy desperation, Death by Lightning concisely dramatizes a fork in history while wistfully hinting at what could've been.

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Critics Reviews

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Judy Berman TIME Magazine Dec 3
Creator Mike Makowsky shapes the source material, Candice Millard’s nonfiction book Destiny of the Republic, into a collection of quintessentially American archetypes. Go to Full Review
Peter Travers The Travers Take Nov 21
3.5/4
The artful acting mischief of Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen makes the Presidential assassination that America forgot into one of the most memorable shows of the TV season Go to Full Review
Deborah Ross The Spectator Nov 20
Heaven knows what liberties the series has taken with the historical facts but it’s hugely entertaining. Go to Full Review
Ernesto Diezmartinez Letras Libres Jan 8
2.5/4
"Death by Lightning recovers the story of the twentieth US president and his assassin, both forgotten over time". [Full review in Spanish] Go to Full Review
Neely Swanson Beverly Hills Courier Dec 20
Death by Lightning, at a mere four episodes, was a jumbled mess because the writer didn’t know how to frame his narrative in a meaningful and cogent manner. Go to Full Review
Audrey Fox Looper.com Dec 8
8/10
A savvy and well-paced political thunderstorm, Death by Lightning uses its talented cast to build a thrilling story out of an oft-forgotten moment in history. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Andrew D 3d Really well done. The sets and costumes were fabulous. See more Joe R Jan 27 A prescient piece on American President Garfield, who was assassinated 3 months into his presidency. It is a beautifully made short series on this little known President and how his successor, Chester Arthur, pivots from among the worst intentions, to being, as President, one who made influential changes in civil service among those in the administration for years to come. A brief, but spectacular, reminder of how greatness can come out of ordinary people who simply want to abide by the truth as they lead. See more Adam G @ADG55 Jan 24 The acting and pace is tremendous. I’ve got used to Netflix churning out dross but this was a welcome surprise, so good I binged all four episodes in one evening - incredibly watchable and did justice to the topic. Fantastic. See more Laugh T. @LaughALotToday Jan 24 Surprisingly stupendous. So good! See more E S. @es2241 Jan 16 Death By Lightning" is a Netflix miniseries about the assassination of President James Garfield. The series is a compelling, though imperfect, biopic that explores themes relevant to modern society. It features strong performances, particularly by Michael Shannon as Garfield and Matthew McFedian as his assassin, Charles Guiteau. Best mini series I’ve seen. Story line and acting are great! I would recommend watching it. See more Da L. @DaLu7 Jan 14 Excellent series in every regard. Well paced - no effort to drag things out. Great story. Exceptional acting. See more Read all reviews
Death by Lightning — Limited Series

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Episodes

Episode 1 Aired Nov 6, 2025 The Man From Ohio At the 1880 Republican National Convention, the lives of Ohio Congressman James Garfield and newly released convict Charles Guiteau are forever altered. Details Episode 2 Aired Nov 6, 2025 Party Faithful In the runup to Election Day, Garfield welcomes the nation to his front porch; Guiteau struggles to ingratiate himself with Party leadership. Details Episode 3 Aired Nov 6, 2025 Casus Belli Treachery from within the White House complicates Garfield's attempts to appoint a Cabinet; Guiteau tries everything to secure a Presidential audience. Details Episode 4 Aired Nov 6, 2025 Destiny of the Republic Conkling goes on the offensive as Garfield challenges the New York political machine; isolated and desperate, Guiteau weighs a history-making decision. Details

Season Info

Director
Matt Ross, Matt Ross
Creator
Mike Makowsky
Executive Producer
David Benioff, Bernadette Caulfield, D.B. Weiss, Matt Ross
Network
Netflix
Rating
TV-MA
Genre
History, Drama
Original Language
English
Release Date
Nov 6, 2025
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