• Netflix's Demise by Lightning explores the true story of President James A. Garfield and his murderer, Charles J. Guiteau.
• Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen lead the historic drama as Garfield and Guiteau, respectively.
• The miniseries premiered on Netflix on Thursday, Nov. 6.

James A. Garfield, the twentieth president of the USA, is the topic of Demise by Lightning, a Netflix sequence concerning the Civil Struggle hero's assassination by a former admirer, Charles J. Guiteau.

Primarily based on Candice Millard's best-selling Future of the Republic, the four-part miniseries chronicles Garfield's (Michael Shannon) rise to energy, encounters with Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen), and premature loss of life.

Under, we take a better take a look at the Demise by Lightning forged and the real-life figures they bring about to life on the display screen.

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Michael Shannon as James A. Garfield

Two-time Oscar nominee Michael Shannon performs James A. Garfield, an Ohio congressman who turned the twentieth president of the USA in 1881. His time in workplace was transient, however Garfield fought towards political corruption and advocated for civil rights.

Simply 4 months into his presidency, Garfield was shot by Guiteau on July 2, 1881. He succumbed to his accidents on Sept. 19, 1881, per a New York Times obituary.

Shannon has appeared in dozens of roles, most just lately in movies like Bullet Practice (2022), The Bikeriders (2023), and Nuremberg (2025). He additionally starred as nation 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 current interview with PEOPLE, Shannon admitted he "didn't know a lot" about Garfield earlier than filming, however was enlivened by his analysis. "There's a lot about Garfield that excites me," he advised the outlet. "He actually embodies every thing I want and hope a president can be."

Shannon continued, "He began out dust poor and he labored so exhausting. He was very self-motivated. He had lots of compassion for different individuals."

02 of 10

Betty Gilpin as Lucretia Garfield

Betty Gilpin performs Lucretia Garfield, a trainer and President Garfield's spouse. The 2 met on the Geauga Seminary faculty, married in 1858, and had seven youngsters: Eliza, Harry, James, Mollie, Irvin, Abram, and Edward.

After Garfield's assassination, Lucretia devoted herself to elevating their household and maintaining her husband's legacy alive, per the Nationwide First Girls Library. She labored on a number of memorials and went on to create the nation's first presidential library at their Ohio farmhouse, now preserved because the James A. Garfield Nationwide Historic Web site. Lucretia died in March 1918 from pneumonia on the age of 85.

Followers would possibly know Gilpin for her Emmy-nominated efficiency as wrestler Debbie "Liberty Belle" Eagan on GLOW (2017–2019). She additionally appeared on Nurse Jackie (2013–2015) and American Primeval (2025), in addition to in movies like Isn't It Romantic (2019) and The Tomorrow Struggle (2021).

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Laura Marcus as Mollie Garfield

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

Marcus first gained recognition on the British sitcom Unhealthy Schooling (2022-2024). She went on to seem on The Serpent Queen (2024) and Andor (2025), and is about to seem within the upcoming Starvation Video games prequel, Dawn on The Reaping.

The actress beforehand shared her admiration for Mollie with Country & Town House, saying, "She’s an outspoken, daring, and deeply clever younger woman."

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Matthew Macfadyen as Charles J. Guiteau

Matthew Macfadyen stars as Charles J. Guiteau, Garfield's murderer. Guiteau, a lawyer, believed he performed a serious half in Garfield's victory and anticipated to be rewarded. After quite a few rejections, Guiteau's obsession with the president turned lethal.

Following Garfield's assassination, Guiteau thought of himself a hero, claiming he can be remembered as a "patriot." Guiteau's authorized crew argued madness, however he was convicted of homicide in January 1882 and executed in June that very same yr.

Macfadyen is finest recognized for enjoying the scheming Tom Wambsgans on HBO's Succession (2018–2023), a task that earned him two Emmys and a Golden Globe. Viewers might also acknowledge him for his function because the hand-flexing Mr. Darcy in Satisfaction & Prejudice (2005) and TVA agent Mr. Paradox in Deadpool & Wolverine (2024).

The actor just lately described Guiteau as a troubled man. "He had a horrible upbringing. He was directionless. He wasn't naturally good on the issues he put his hand to," Macfadyen mentioned. "He wasn't psychologically very nicely, however he wasn't with out ambition or ardour. He stumbles onto Garfield by likelihood, has this lightbulb second with him, shakes his hand. From then on, he actually tries to assist and be of service."

05 of 10

Nick Offerman as Chester A. Arthur

Nick Offerman takes on the function of Chester A. Arthur, Garfield's vice chairman and eventual twenty first POTUS. As soon as a loyal Stalwart who opposed Garfield's reform agenda, Arthur surprised the nation by ending the spoils system and signing the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act in 1883.

Whereas in workplace, Arthur modernized the U.S. Navy and tightened immigration insurance policies, all of the whereas battling a kidney sickness that he stored hidden from the general public. His declining well being and waning help stored him from successful the 1884 Republican nomination. Arthur left politics on the finish of his presidency and died two years later at 57.

Offerman, finest often called Ron Swanson on Parks and Recreation (2009–2015), has since starred on The Nice North (2021–2025), Pam & Tommy (2022), and The Final of Us (2023), incomes an Emmy for his efficiency within the latter. He additionally performed the president in Alex Garland's Civil Struggle (2024).

Following Demise by Lightning's premiere, creator Mike Makowsky advised Decider that Offerman's Arthur "type of has essentially the most outlined arc of any of the characters within the present. Chester Arthur, in some ways, is the character or the topic that shocked me essentially the most as I used to be doing analysis."

06 of 10

Shea Whigham as Roscoe Conkling

Shea Whigham performs Senator Roscoe Conkling, a New York politician who served in each the U.S. Home and U.S. Senate. A pacesetter 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 shut with Arthur, however their relationship soured as soon as the latter turned president and applied civil service reforms. From then on, Conkling continued to be an influential politician and lawyer in New York till his loss of life on the age of 58 in 1888.

Whigham is a TV common, having performed supporting roles on Boardwalk Empire (2010–2014), Vice Principals (2016–2017), and American Primeval (2025), amongst others. Followers may also know Whigham for his many movie appearances, most notably within the Quick & Livid and Mission: Impossible franchises.

07 of 10

Bradley Whitford as James Blaine

Bradley Whitford performs Secretary of State James Blaine, the pinnacle of the Half-Breed faction that always clashed with Stalwarts like Arthur and Conkling. In response to the College of Virginia's Miller Middle, Blaine was at Garfield's facet when he was shot.

Blaine went on to turn into the Republican presidential nominee in 1884, however fell brief towards Grover Cleveland. He remained in politics till his loss of life on the age of 62 in 1893.

Whitford has many credit to his title, and isn’t any stranger to political drama. He earned Emmys for his roles as White Home staffer Josh Lyman on The West Wing (1999–2006) and Commander Joseph Lawrence on The Handmaid's Story (2018–2025). He presently stars as First Gentleman Todd Penn on The Diplomat (2025–current).

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Vondie Curtis-Corridor as Frederick Douglass

Vondie Curtis-Corridor seems on Demise by Lightning as Frederick Douglass, the legendary abolitionist who escaped slavery in 1838. Douglass quickly turned a robust voice for civil rights and even campaigned for Garfield.

Curtis-Corridor has appeared in lots of movies, together with Romeo + Juliet (1996), Eve's Bayou (1997), and The Evening Home (2020). On TV, he's recognized for Chicago Hope (1995–1999), Daredevil (2015), and The Recruit (2022-2025).

09 of 10

Željko Ivanek as Dr. Willard Bliss

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

Bliss is alleged to have examined Garfield's wounds with unwashed palms and soiled instruments, and the president's loss of life additional broken his fame. Nonetheless, he continued his work as a health care provider till his personal loss of life in 1889 on the age of 63.

Ivanek made his display screen debut in 1982, and you could acknowledge him for his Emmy-winning flip as manipulative lawyer Ray Fiske on Damages (2007–2010). Different notable credit embrace Argo (2012), Madam Secretary (2014–2019), Three Billboards Outdoors Ebbing, Missouri (2017), and The Strolling Lifeless: Lifeless Metropolis (2023–current).

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Shaun Parkes as Dr. Charles Purvis

Shaun Parkes performs Dr. Charles Purvis, the primary Black physician to deal with a sitting president. In response to the Worcester Telegram & Gazette, Purvis was a Union Military surgeon and later surgeon-in-chief at Freedman's Hospital. He additionally taught at Howard College, the place he was one of many founders of its medical faculty.

Purvis was the one doctor to problem Bliss' unsanitary strategies, and he was ultimately faraway from Garfield's care. He continued his work at Howard till 1926, and died three years later at 87.

Since touchdown the function of Izzy in The Mummy Returns (2001), Parkes has racked up credit on The Inspector Lynley Mysteries (2006–2008), Moses Jones (2009), Misplaced in House (2018–2019), and Small Axe: Mangrove (2020), amongst different tasks.

The place can I watch Demise by Lightning?

All 4 episodes of Demise of Lightning are actually streaming on Netflix.

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