Michael Shannon stars as President James A. Garfield in the Netflix miniseries.

See the cast of *Death by Lightning *side-by-side with the real-life people they play

Michael Shannon stars as President James A. Garfield in the Netflix miniseries.

By Allison DeGrushe

Allison DeGrushe

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November 10, 2025 1:19 p.m. ET

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Michael Shannon as James A. Garfield on 'Death by Lightning'; President James A. Garfield. Credit:

Larry Horricks/Netflix; Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty

- Netflix's *Death by Lightning *explores the true story of President James A. Garfield and his assassin, Charles J. Guiteau.

- Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen lead the historical drama as Garfield and Guiteau, respectively.

- The miniseries premiered on Netflix on Thursday, Nov. 6.**

James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, is the subject of *Death by Lightning*, a Netflix series about the Civil War hero's assassination by a former admirer, Charles J. Guiteau.

Based on Candice Millard's best-selling *Destiny of the Republic*, the four-part miniseries chronicles Garfield's (Michael Shannon) rise to power, encounters with Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), and untimely death.

Below, we take a closer look at the* Death by Lightning* cast and the real-life figures they bring to life on the screen.

Michael Shannon as James A. Garfield

Michael Shannon as James A. Garfield on 'Death by Lightning'; President James A. Garfield.

Larry Horricks/Netflix ; Photo12/Universal Images Group via Getty

Two-time Oscar nominee Michael Shannon plays James A. Garfield, an Ohio congressman who became the 20th president of the United States in 1881. His time in office was brief, but Garfield fought against political corruption and advocated for civil rights.

Just four months into his presidency, Garfield was shot by Guiteau on July 2, 1881. He succumbed to his injuries on Sept. 19, 1881, per a *New York Times *obituary.

Shannon has appeared in dozens of roles, most recently in films like *Bullet Train *(2022), *The Bikeriders *(2023), and *Nuremberg *(2025). He also starred as country musician George Jones on *George & Tammy *(2022–2023), which earned him an Emmy nomination.

President Michael Shannon is stalked by unhinged Matthew Macfadyen in 'Death by Lightning' first look

The tragic true story behind 'Death by Lightning': All about President James A. Garfield — and his assassin

In a recent interview with PEOPLE, Shannon admitted he "didn't know much" about Garfield before filming, but was enlivened by his research. "There's so much about Garfield that excites me," he told the outlet. "He really embodies everything I wish and hope a president would be."

Shannon continued, "He started out dirt poor and he worked so hard. He was very self-motivated. He had a lot of compassion for other people."

Betty Gilpin as Lucretia Garfield

Betty Gilpin as Lucretia Garfield on 'Death by Lightning'; Lucretia Garfield.

Glasshouse Vintage/Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty; Larry Horricks/Netflix

Betty Gilpin plays Lucretia Garfield, a teacher and President Garfield's wife. The two met at the Geauga Seminary school, married in 1858, and had seven children: Eliza, Harry, James, Mollie, Irvin, Abram, and Edward.

After Garfield's assassination, Lucretia dedicated herself to raising their family and keeping her husband's legacy alive, per the National First Ladies Library. She worked on several memorials and went on to create the nation's first presidential library at their Ohio farmhouse, now preserved as the James A. Garfield National Historic Site. Lucretia died in March 1918 from pneumonia at the age of 85.

Fans might know Gilpin for her Emmy-nominated performance as wrestler Debbie "Liberty Belle" Eagan on *GLOW *(2017–2019). She also appeared on *Nurse Jackie *(2013–2015) and *American Primeval *(2025), as well as in films like *Isn't It Romantic* (2019) and *The Tomorrow War* (2021).

Laura Marcus as Mollie Garfield

Laura Marcus as Mollie Garfield on 'Death by Lightning; Mollie Garfield circa 1865.

Larry Horricks/Netflix; Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty

Laura Marcus portrays Mollie Garfield, the youngest daughter of James and Lucretia. She went on to marry her father's former personal secretary, Joe Stanley-Brown, and the couple had three children. Mollie lived a long life, passing away in December 1947 at age 80.

Marcus first gained recognition on the British sitcom *Bad Education *(2022-2024). She went on to appear on *The Serpent Queen *(2024) and *Andor *(2025), and is set to appear in the upcoming *Hunger Games *prequel, *Sunrise on The Reaping*.

The actress previously shared her admiration for Mollie with *Country & Town House*, saying, "She’s an outspoken, bold, and deeply intelligent young lady."

Matthew Macfadyen as Charles J. Guiteau

Mathew Macfadyen as Charles J. Guiteau on 'Death By Lightning'.

Larry Horricks/Netflix

Matthew Macfadyen stars as Charles J. Guiteau, Garfield's assassin. Guiteau, a lawyer, believed he played a major part in Garfield's victory and expected to be rewarded. After numerous rejections, Guiteau's obsession with the president turned deadly.

Following Garfield's assassination, Guiteau considered himself a hero, claiming he would be remembered as a "patriot." Guiteau's legal team argued insanity, but he was convicted of murder in January 1882 and executed in June that same year.

Macfadyen is best known for playing the scheming Tom Wambsgans on HBO's *Succession *(2018–2023), a role that earned him two Emmys and a Golden Globe. Viewers may also recognize him for his role as the hand-flexing Mr. Darcy in *Pride & Prejudice *(2005) and TVA agent Mr. Paradox in *Deadpool & Wolverine *(2024).

The actor recently described Guiteau as a troubled man. "He had a terrible upbringing. He was directionless. He wasn't naturally good at the things he put his hand to," Macfadyen said. "He wasn't psychologically very well, but he wasn't without ambition or passion. He stumbles onto Garfield by chance, has this lightbulb moment with him, shakes his hand. From then on, he really tries to help and be of service."

Nick Offerman as Chester A. Arthur

Nick Offerman as Chester A. Arthur on 'Death by Lightning; Chester A. Arthur.

Larry Horricks/Netflix; Ernest Ipsen/getty

Nick Offerman takes on the role of Chester A. Arthur, Garfield's vice president and eventual 21st POTUS. Once a loyal Stalwart who opposed Garfield's reform agenda, Arthur stunned the nation by ending the spoils system and signing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883.

While in office, Arthur modernized the U.S. Navy and tightened immigration policies, all the while battling a kidney illness that he kept hidden from the public. His declining health and waning support kept him from winning the 1884 Republican nomination. Arthur left politics at the end of his presidency and died two years later at 57.

Offerman, best known as Ron Swanson on *Parks and Recreation* (2009–2015), has since starred on *The Great North *(2021–2025), *Pam & Tommy *(2022), and *The Last of Us *(2023), earning an Emmy for his performance in the latter. He also played the president in Alex Garland's *Civil War* (2024).

Following *Death by Lightning*'s premiere, creator Mike Makowsky told Decider that Offerman's Arthur "kind of has the most defined arc of any of the characters in the show. Chester Arthur, in many ways, is the character or the subject that surprised me the most as I was doing research."

Shea Whigham as Roscoe Conkling

Shea Whigham as Roscoe Conkling on 'Death by Lightning; Roscoe Conkling.

Larry Horricks/Netflix; Bettmann Archive/Getty

Shea Whigham plays Senator Roscoe Conkling, a New York politician who served in both the U.S. House and U.S. Senate. A leader of the Republican Stalwarts and fierce defender of the spoils system, Conkling's bitter feud with Garfield over reform led to his resignation from the Senate in 1881.

Conkling was close with Arthur, but their relationship soured once the latter became president and implemented civil service reforms. From then on, Conkling continued to be an influential politician and lawyer in New York until his death at the age of 58 in 1888.

Whigham is a TV regular, having played supporting roles on *Boardwalk Empire* (2010–2014), *Vice Principals* (2016–2017), and *American Primeval* (2025), among others. Fans might also know Whigham for his many film appearances, most notably in the *Fast & Furious *and *Mission: Impossible* franchises.

Bradley Whitford as James Blaine

Bradley Whitford as James Blaine on 'Death by Lightning; James Blaine circa 1885.

Larry Horricks/Netflix; MPI/Getty

Bradley Whitford plays Secretary of State James Blaine, the head of the Half-Breed faction that often clashed with Stalwarts like Arthur and Conkling. According to the University of Virginia's Miller Center, Blaine was at Garfield's side when he was shot.

Blaine went on to become the Republican presidential nominee in 1884, but fell short against Grover Cleveland. He remained in politics until his death at the age of 62 in 1893.

Whitford has *many* credits to his name, and is no stranger to political drama. He earned Emmys for his roles as White House staffer Josh Lyman on *The West Wing* (1999–2006) and Commander Joseph Lawrence on *The Handmaid's Tale *(2018–2025). He currently stars as First Gentleman Todd Penn on *The Diplomat* (2025–present).

Vondie Curtis-Hall as Frederick Douglass

Vondie Curtis-Hall as Frederick Douglass on 'Death by Lightning'; Frederick Douglass circa 1880.

Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty; Larry Horricks/Netflix

Vondie Curtis-Hall appears on *Death by Lightning *as Frederick Douglass, the legendary abolitionist who escaped slavery in 1838. Douglass soon became a powerful voice for civil rights and even campaigned for Garfield.

Curtis-Hall has appeared in many films, including *Romeo + Juliet *(1996), *Eve's Bayou* (1997), and *The Night House* (2020). On TV, he's known for *Chicago Hope *(1995–1999), *Daredevil *(2015), and *The Recruit *(2022-2025).

Željko Ivanek as Dr. Willard Bliss

Željko Ivanek attends the screening of 'Madam Secretary' during PaleyFest New York 2016 at The Paley Center for Media.

Roy Rochlin/FilmMagic

Željko Ivanek portrays Dr. Willard Bliss, the controversial physician who treated Garfield after he was shot. A Civil War surgeon, he was later expelled from the D.C. Medical Society for supporting homeopathy and opposing its ban on Black doctors.

Bliss is said to have examined Garfield's wounds with unwashed hands and dirty tools, and the president's death further damaged his reputation. Still, he continued his work as a doctor until his own death in 1889 at the age of 63.

Ivanek made his screen debut in 1982, and you may recognize him for his Emmy-winning turn as manipulative lawyer Ray Fiske on *Damages *(2007–2010). Other notable credits include *Argo *(2012), *Madam Secretary *(2014–2019), *Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri* (2017), and *The Walking Dead: Dead City *(2023–present).

Shaun Parkes as Dr. Charles Purvis

Shaun Parkes at the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards on June 6, 2021, in London; Dr. Charles Burleigh Purvis.

Shaun Parkes plays Dr. Charles Purvis, the first Black doctor to treat a sitting president. According to the *Worcester Telegram & Gazette*, Purvis was a Union Army surgeon and later surgeon-in-chief at Freedman's Hospital. He also taught at Howard University, where he was one of the founders of its medical school.

Purvis was the only physician to challenge Bliss' unsanitary methods, and he was eventually removed from Garfield's care. He continued his work at Howard until 1926, and died three years later at 87.

Since landing the role of Izzy in *The Mummy Returns *(2001), Parkes has racked up credits on *The Inspector Lynley Mysteries *(2006–2008), *Moses Jones *(2009), *Lost in Space *(2018–2019), and *Small Axe: Mangrove *(2020), among other projects.

Where can I watch Death by Lightning?**

All four episodes of *Death of Lightning *are now streaming on Netflix.

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Source: “EW TV”