Netflix's 'Death By Lightning' Explores James A. Garfield's Presidency and Assassination
Netflix has released a limited series called 'Death By Lightning' starring Michael Shannon as President James A. Garfield, based on Candace Millard's book 'Destiny of the Republic.' The series depicts Garfield's rise from obscurity, his reform agenda, and his assassination by Charles Guiteau in 1881. The show has drawn praise for its performances and its contemporary relevance to themes of political corruption and parasocial relationships with public figures.
Netflix's limited series 'Death By Lightning' dramatizes the life and presidency of James A. Garfield, a 19th-century president largely forgotten by modern audiences. Michael Shannon stars as Garfield, a reform-minded politician from Ohio who opposed the 'spoils system' in politics. The series, based on Candace Millard's award-winning book, chronicles Garfield's unexpected rise to the presidency and his assassination by Charles Guiteau, a mentally unstable man who developed an obsessive relationship with the president. Shannon discussed how the project appealed to him as an educational opportunity and how the lack of historical records about Garfield allowed for creative interpretation of the character. The series has been noted for its incandescent performances and its thematic resonance with contemporary political issues, including pay-for-play politics and the dangers of parasocial relationships with public figures.
What different sources said
- New York PostRight
Emmys Better Not Forget Netflix’s Incandescent ‘Death By Lightning’ or Star Michael Shannon: “It Was Like Carrying a Fine Diamond”
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New York Knicks Generate Unprecedented Cultural Phenomenon During 2026 NBA Finals
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