Death By Lightning Cast Guide: Meet The Stars Of Netflix’s Historical Drama

Netflix’s new historical drama, Death by Lightning, features a strong cast of well-known actors who convincingly portray their roles. The creators of Game of Thrones have moved into a different type of storytelling with this project, focusing on the assassination of President James A. Garfield.

While the assassinations of Lincoln and JFK remain well-known, the story of James Garfield’s murder – and the man who committed it – has largely faded from public memory. This compelling Netflix show brings that forgotten history to light, detailing how a little-known politician surprisingly rose to become President, and how a deeply obsessed individual’s unhealthy fixation ultimately led to tragedy.

Because the story in Death by Lightning is so rich and detailed, it required a talented cast to portray the famous historical figures involved. Fortunately, the actors—particularly Michael Shannon—fully embody their roles, which helps draw viewers into the narrative. Here’s a look at the cast, their characters, and the real people who inspired them.

Michael Shannon as James A. Garfield

Date Of Birth: August 7, 1974

• Active Since: 1992

Michael Shannon, born in Lexington, Kentucky, first gained widespread recognition for his role as John Givings in Revolutionary Road, earning him an Academy Award nomination. He’s continued to thrive as an actor in both film and television.

Notable Movies & TV Shows:

James A. Garfield was the 20th President of the United States. Sadly, he was assassinated shortly after taking office. Before becoming president, Garfield had a distinguished career as a major general during the Civil War and spent nine terms representing his district in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Guiteau

Date Of Birth: October 17, 1974

• Active Since: 1997

Matthew Macfadyen, born in Great Yarmouth, UK, started gaining recognition with a role in 1998. However, he became a household name in 2005 when he played Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice alongside Keira Knightley. This led to a very successful career, with awards including three BAFTAs, two Emmys, and a Golden Globe.

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Charles Guiteau was a fraud who became fixated on President James A. Garfield, convinced he’d played a key role in Garfield’s election win. When he didn’t get the job of a Paris consul – a position he felt he deserved – he felt deeply betrayed and decided to kill the president.

Nick Offerman as Chester Arthur

Date Of Birth: June 26, 1970

• Active Since: 1994

Nick Offerman, originally from Joliet, Illinois, gained widespread recognition for his role as Ron Swanson on the show Parks and Recreation. He’s continued to thrive as an actor while also pursuing his passion for carpentry. More recently, he hosted the game show Making It, and in 2023, he won a Primetime Emmy for his guest appearance in The Last of Us, specifically for the episode “Long, Long Time.”

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Chester Arthur started as the collector for the Port of New York. He was chosen as James A. Garfield’s running mate to create a more balanced campaign and satisfy New York political interests. After Garfield’s assassination, Arthur unexpectedly became president.

Betty Gilpin as Lucretia Garfield

Date Of Birth: July 21, 1986

• Active Since: 2008

Betty Gilpin, a New York City native, became well-known for her role as Debbie “Liberty Belle” Eagan in the Netflix series GLOW, earning her three Emmy nominations. She’s continued to build a successful career since then.

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Lucretia Garfield was a well-educated and politically astute woman who played an important role in her husband James A. Garfield’s presidential campaign. She later became First Lady of the United States.

Death By Lightning Supporting Cast & Characters

Let’s talk about Bradley Whitford’s performance as James Blaine. He plays Blaine as the Speaker of the House during Garfield’s presidency, and it’s interesting to see him step into this historical role. Blaine is portrayed as a moderate Republican, one of the “Half-Breeds,” which adds some nuance to the political landscape of the film. Honestly, Whitford is a consistently fantastic actor – you probably recognize him from roles like Josh Lyman in The West Wing, the unsettling Dean Armitage in Get Out, or Joseph Lawrence from The Handmaid’s Tale. He brings that same level of skill and depth to this part.

Shae Whigham portrays Roscoe Conkling in Death by Lightning. Conkling was a New York congressman and a political opponent of James A. Garfield, and he led the “Stalwarts” faction of the Republican Party. Whigham is also known for his roles as Elias “Eli” Thompson in Boardwalk Empire, Carl Elway in American Hustle, and Dewart in Take Shelter.

Vondie Curtis-Hall portrays Frederick Douglass, a formerly enslaved man who became a prominent leader in the abolitionist movement and a champion of civil rights. He actively supported James A. Garfield’s successful presidential campaign. Many viewers will recognize Curtis-Hall from his roles as Judge Nicholas Byrne in For All The People, Ben Urich in Daredevil, and Walter Nyland in The Recruit.

Barry Shabaka Henley portrays Blanche Bruce, a former slave who achieved a historic first: he was the first African American to complete a full term in the U.S. Senate. He also served as the Register of the Treasury, another groundbreaking achievement. Henley is also known for his roles as Bobby in Rush Hour, Terry Drake in Bosch, and Uncle Tunde in Bob Hearts Abishola.

Laura Marcas portrays Mollie Garfield in Death by Lightning. Mollie is the daughter of James A. Garfield and Lucretia Garfield. Marcas is a rising actor known for her roles as Jinx in Bad Education, Elisabeth in The Serpent Queen, and Beela in Andor.

Tuppence Middleton plays Kate Chase Sprague, a married woman from high society who had a secret affair with Senator Roscoe Conkling. He wouldn’t acknowledge their relationship publicly. Middleton is known for her work in historical dramas, including roles as Amelia Havisham in Dickensian, Helene Bezukhova in War & Peace, and Lucy Branson in Downton Abbey: A New Era.

Kyle Soller portrays Robert Todd Lincoln in Death by Lightning. Lincoln was the son of Abraham and Mary Todd Lincoln and later served as Secretary of War under President James A. Garfield. Soller is also known for his roles as Korsunsky in Anna Karenina, Dr. Elliot Blake in The Titan, and Syril Karn in Andor.

Zeljko Ivanek portrayed Dr. Willard Bliss, the doctor who treated President James A. Garfield after he was shot. Notably, Dr. Bliss didn’t believe in using antiseptic practices, so he took no precautions while caring for the wound. Ivanek is also well-known for his roles as Russell Jackson in Madam Secretary, The Croat in The Walking Dead: Dead City, and Robert Pender in Argo.

Shaun Parkes portrays Dr. Charles Purvis, a groundbreaking figure as the first Black doctor to treat a sitting U.S. president. He later became the head surgeon at Freedman Hospital. Parkes is also known for his roles as Izzy in The Mummy Returns, A.J. Poulain in The River, and Captain Radic in Lost in Space.

I recently watched Death by Lightning and was really impressed with Archie Fisher’s performance as Joe Brown, President Garfield’s personal secretary. It’s a fascinating role, and honestly, I hadn’t seen much of Fisher before. Looking at his filmography, he’d only been in a few things prior – a character named Reed in Last Days, Cheddar in Boarders, and Cal in Steve. It’s cool to see an up-and-coming actor tackling such a historical part!

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2025-11-06 04:27