Netflix has announced new cast members for its upcoming historical drama Death by Lightning, produced by Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss. The limited series, based on Candice Millard’s Destiny of the Republic, will depict the true story of U.S. President James Garfield’s assassination in 1881.
Michael Shannon stars as Garfield, with Matthew Macfadyen as his assassin, Charles Guiteau. Joining them are Vondie Curtis Hall, Željko Ivanek, and Barry Shabaka Henley. The series, which wrapped production in Budapest, Hungary, will debut in 2025.
Filming in Hungary, a popular destination for international productions, adds to Budapest’s growing reputation as a prime location for major historical dramas. Directed by Mike Makowsky, “Death by Lightning” is one of the latest projects filmed in the country, highlighting Hungary’s skilled crews, diverse landscapes, and cost-effective production incentives.
Set to premiere next year, “Death by Lightning” explores the political intrigue surrounding President Garfield’s short tenure and his untimely death. As the 20th President of the United States, Garfield was in office for only a few months before being shot by Guiteau, a deranged supporter who believed he had a hand in Garfield’s election. The show will trace Garfield’s rise from Congressman to President, and the conspiracy-laden aftermath of his assassination.
Alongside Shannon, the series also stars Laura Marcus as Garfield’s daughter Mollie, with supporting performances by Nick Offerman, Bradley Whitford, and Betty Gilpin. Barry Shabaka Henley will portray Senator Blanche Bruce, and Željko Ivanek will play Dr. Doctor Bliss, one of Garfield’s physicians.