Netflix has released the official trailer, new images, and character posters for Death by Lightning, the upcoming four-part limited series about President James Garfield and his assassin Charles Guiteau, premiering November 6, 2025.
Netflix is bringing a dramatic and stranger-than-fiction piece of American history to the screen with Death by Lightning. The limited series will premiere on November 6, 2025, and today the streamer unveiled the official trailer, new images, and striking character posters.
The four-part drama series tells the powerful true story of President James Garfield, America’s reluctant 20th president, and Charles Guiteau, his obsessive admirer who would ultimately assassinate him. Creator, writer, and executive producer Mike Makowsky (Bad Education) describes the story as one of history’s overlooked tragedies, telling Tudum.com, “The fact that he’s been relegated to this obscure footnote because he was targeted by an assassin is a great tragedy. It is one of the great ‘what ifs’ in American history.”
Death by Lightning boasts a star-studded cast led by Michael Shannon as President James Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Guiteau. Joining them are Nick Offerman as Chester Arthur, Bradley Whitford as James Blaine, Shea Whigham as Roscoe Conkling, and Betty Gilpin as Crete Garfield.
The series also features an impressive lineup of guest stars, including Alistair Petrie as John Sherman, Archie Fisher as Joe Brown, Barry Shabaka Henley as Senator Blanche Bruce, Ben Miles as George Scoville, Kyle Soller as Robert Todd Lincoln, Laura Marcus as Mollie Garfield, Paula Malcomson as Franny Scoville, Shaun Parkes as Dr. Charles Purvis, Tuppence Middleton as Kate Chase Sprague, Vondie Curtis Hall as Frederick Douglass, and Željko Ivanek as Dr. Doctor Bliss.
Behind the camera, the creative team is equally notable. In addition to Makowsky, executive producers include Game of Thrones and 3 Body Problem duo David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, alongside Bernie Caulfield. The series is directed by Matt Ross (Captain Fantastic, Gaslit), who also serves as an executive producer.
Death by Lightning promises to deliver a gripping portrait of a pivotal, often overlooked moment in American history — blending political intrigue, personal obsession, and the devastating impact of Garfield’s assassination. With its acclaimed cast, powerhouse creative team, and striking visual debut, the series is already shaping up to be one of Netflix’s most anticipated dramas of the year.
The limited series premieres globally on Netflix on November 6, 2025.
