The true story behind James Garfield assassination explored ahead of the release of Netflix’s Death by Lightning

Netflix’s upcoming series, Death by Lightning, premiering on November 6, 2025, delves into the gripping and tragic story of President James Garfield’s assassination. The show retraces the dramatic events starting with Garfield’s arrival at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station on July 2, 1881, when Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker, shot the president twice. Though Garfield survived the initial attack, his health deteriorated over the following months, leading to his death on September 19. The series takes viewers from the chaotic train station scene through the president’s prolonged struggle in a New Jersey sickroom, and finally to the courtroom where Guiteau stood trial. Created by Mike Makowsky and inspired by Candice Millard’s Destiny of the Republic, Death by Lightning stars Michael Shannon as James Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Guiteau. The drama aims to provide a clear-eyed portrayal of the assassination’s context and its repercussions. It sheds light on the complex political landscape of the Republican Party at the time, the bitter fight over patronage jobs, and the unexpected rise of Chester A. Arthur. The show also highlights the flawed medical care Garfield received, which likely worsened his condition, as doctors repeatedly probed his wounds without sterilization, a practice that was common but dangerous then. Eyewitness testimonies featured in the series recall Blaine’s presence with Garfield at the station and Guiteau’s immediate arrest after the shooting. Over the summer, Garfield’s health fluctuated, and he was moved to Elberon, New Jersey, in hopes that the cooler sea air would aid his recovery. However, pneumonia and infection set in, and despite efforts, he passed away at the age of 49. Guiteau never denied his actions; instead, in court, he argued that the medical treatment was responsible for Garfield’s death. Nevertheless, the jury found him guilty, and he was executed by hanging in 1882. The assassination’s aftermath sparked widespread outrage over the patronage system, which rewarded political supporters with government jobs. This public outcry helped pave the way for civil service reform, culminating in the Pendleton Act of 1883 that introduced merit-based examinations for federal positions. Garfield’s legacy extended far beyond his short presidency. A former Union general and a seasoned congressman, he was known for advocating clean government and fairer appointment processes. His resistance to party bosses, particularly in New York, set the stage for the intense political battles of 1881. On the other hand, Guiteau’s life story was marked by failure and delusion. He drifted through unsuccessful ventures before turning to politics, writing a campaign speech, and then convincing himself he deserved a diplomatic post. When he was denied, his obsession with Garfield grew into a deadly fixation. Death by Lightning explores this psychological angle, portraying Guiteau’s motives as rooted more in personal obsession than political ideology. Alongside Shannon and Macfadyen, the series features Nick Offerman as Chester A. Arthur and Betty Gilpin as Lucretia Garfield. The ensemble also includes historic figures like James G. Blaine, Roscoe Conkling, and Frederick Douglass. The narrative begins precisely at 9:30 am on that fateful July morning and expands to capture the months of medical care, the trial, and the political reforms that followed. The creators emphasize factual storytelling, clearly marking unclear motives as alleged or reported, while underscoring the lasting impact of a brief but pivotal presidency. Ultimately, Death by Lightning portrays how a single violent act at a train station reverberated through American politics, reshaping how federal jobs were allocated and marking a turning point in civil service history.