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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
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
91% Tomatometer 65 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 2d
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
Ana Yorke PopMatters 1d
If Guiteau remains (just barely) remembered as an assassin and a madman, here Macfadyen charitably extends him some sympathy, portraying him as a confused, discarded man whose American dream is but an illusion. Go to Full Review
Kristen Meinzer Pop Culture Happy Hour (NPR Podcast) Nov 16
[Death by Lightning] gave the excitement of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson, the sincerity of John Adams, the sense of humor of Abraham Lincoln, Vampire Hunter. Go to Full Review
Chloe Veltman Pop Culture Happy Hour (NPR Podcast) Nov 16
The chief issue is the story of Garfield and Guiteau is a bit of a non-starter. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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Bálint Péter F @balintfuzes 1d Matthew Macfadyen’s towering performance is completely undone by a script so fundamentally limp, its tensionless style is almost incomprehensible next to the edge-of-your-seat dynamics of rival series. Skip the show—just watch the key "begging" scene on YouTube and save yourself the time! See more Matt L @Mattliptak 2d Death by Lightning is a gripping and surprisingly intimate four part series that tells a little known chapter of American history with real force. The storytelling is sharp, deliberate, and completely absorbing from start to finish. Nick Offerman delivers some of his best dramatic work to date, grounding every scene with quiet strength, while Michael Shannon brings a commanding, unpredictable energy that keeps you locked in. Together, they elevate the entire production. The pacing never drags, the direction is confident, and each episode builds momentum with purpose. It is a superbly acted, superbly crafted series that deserves far more attention than it’s getting. A must watch. See more Jeff S 3d Well done. Great acting. Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen and/or Nick Offerman should win an award for their performances. See more Arynn T. @KingsFan47 3d I was disappointed when it was over, I wish there had been more to watch. See more John F 3d In a time when the volume and quality of movies and series have taken a big step backward, here's a little nudge back in the right direction. See more Stephen C @bob25009 4d 4 episodes based on a true story!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ages 17 and older!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 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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