On Thursday 6 November 2025, Netflix [NFLX −0.79%] released its four-part miniseries “Death by Lightning”, which tells the story of the 1881 assassination of US President James A. Garfield and the medical errors that ultimately led to his death.
Michael Shannon plays Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen plays his assassin, Charles Guiteau. The cast also includes Nick Offerman, Betty Gilpin, Bradley Whitford and Shea Whigham.
Written by Mike Makowsky, the series is adapted from Candice Millard’s book “Destiny of the Republic”. It shows that Garfield survived the initial shooting but died two and a half months later from infections caused by improper medical interventions — including probing the wound with unsanitary instruments and ignoring antiseptic methods — negligence that could easily have been avoided.
Critics have praised the performances, especially Shannon’s dignified, deep portrayal of Garfield and Macfadyen’s unsettling Guiteau, though some feel the four-episode format is rushed and does not fully explore Garfield’s long suffering.
