Caemeron Crain
Long before Death by Lightning was released, the series pinged my radar with casting announcements. The headliners form a veritable who’s who of actors who stand out, even in smaller roles: Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Betty Gilpin, Nick Offerman, Bradley Whitford, Shea Whigham… I’d probably watch these people in a show about painting a fence.
I can’t say that I was terribly familiar with historical material going in. President James A. Garfield and the scoundrel Charles Julius Guiteau were perhaps always destined to be a footnote, and certainly the classes I took in school treated them as such. The story told over the course of Death by Lightning’s four episodes doesn’t even suggest that’s wrong, though the story is quite compelling. And it’s also funny!
One thing that surprised me as I watched Death by Lightning was the extent to which the political situation Garfield faces resonates with our own. The system is corrupt, with muckety-mucks basing appointments more on backroom deals than anything like merit, and Garfield rises to prominence precisely by calling out that corruption.
The powers that be don’t like that very much, of course, but you could only say that leads to Garfield’s demise in the most roundabout of ways. I’m trying not to give away too much, even as it feels weird to suggest that something could be a spoiler when it’s also documented history.
If you’re like me, you’ll watch Death by Lightning and then proceed to dig into the history more. I’ve found that approach to be quite enjoyable, and look forward to reading the 2011 book Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard, on which the series is based. At the same time, though, I’d guess you’d enjoy Death by Lightning even if you’re a history buff who already knows the details of what happened.
Just look at that cast list again! Nick Offerman has mutton chops in this show! If you missed it when it came to Netflix in November 2025, set aside four hours and go watch it now.
