Viewers who enjoy historical dramas are sure to be drawn to Netflix’s new series, Death by Lightning. It tells the dramatic, true story of President James Garfield and his assassination.
The series recounts the life of President James A. Garfield, portrayed by Michael Shannon, but also explores the story of his assassin, Charles Guiteau. Guiteau, a struggling lawyer with mental health issues, is played by Matthew Macfadyen.
Shannon and Macfadyen star in the new four-episode series, alongside well-known actors like Betty Gilpin, Nick Offerman, and Bradley Whitford.
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Want to know the rest of the actors in the series and their roles? Here’s a guide to the cast and characters of Death by Lightning.
Death by Lightning cast: Who stars in the Netflix series?
Meet the stars of Death by Lightning! Below, you’ll find details about the main actors and the characters they play, as well as where you might recognize them from.
- Michael Shannon as James Garfield
- Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Guiteau
- Betty Gilpin as First Lady Crete Garfield
- Nick Offerman as Vice President Chester Arthur
- Bradley Whitford as Senator James Blaine
- Shea Whigham as Senator Roscoe Conkling
- Paula Malcomson as Franny Scoville
- Tuppence Middleton as Kate Chase Sprague
- Archie Fisher as Joe Brown
- Laura Marcus as Mollie Garfield
- Barry Shabaka Henley as Senator Blanche Bruce
- Željko Ivanek as Dr Bliss
- Kyle Soller as Robert Todd Lincoln
- Ben Miles as George Scoville
- Vondie Curtis-Hall as Frederick Douglass
- Shaun Parkes as Dr Charles Purvis
- Alistair Petrie as John Sherman
Michael Shannon plays James Garfield
James Garfield was the 20th President of the United States. He was assassinated by Charles Guiteau shortly after taking office. A Republican, Garfield uniquely transitioned from being a member of the House of Representatives directly to the presidency. He was also elected to the Senate. Notably, Garfield didn’t actively campaign for the presidency; he was selected as a compromise candidate by different groups within the Republican party.
I always recognize Michael Shannon, but it’s hard to pinpoint where I’ve seen him! He’s been in so much! I remember him from films like Groundhog Day and Pearl Harbor, and I definitely saw him in 8 Mile and Bad Boys II. More recently, I loved him in Revolutionary Road, Mud, and even Man of Steel. Oh, and Knives Out was great! He’s also been in a lot of TV shows – I watched him in Boardwalk Empire and Waco, and I’ve heard good things about Nine Perfect Strangers and George & Tammy. He’s really versatile!
Matthew Macfadyen plays Charles Guiteau
Charles Guiteau was a man with a history of mental illness who assassinated President James Garfield. He felt he deserved a high-level government job for helping Garfield win the election, and when he didn’t receive one, he decided to kill the President, believing it was for the benefit of the country.
You might recognize Matthew Macfadyen from a variety of popular shows and films. He’s appeared in series like Little Dorrit, Spooks, Ripper Street, Howards End, Quiz, Stonehouse, and the hit show Succession. On the big screen, he’s been in movies including Pride & Prejudice, Frost/Nixon, Robin Hood, The Three Musketeers, Anna Karenina, The Current War, Operation Mincemeat, and the upcoming Deadpool & Wolverine, as well as Holland.
Betty Gilpin plays First Lady Crete Garfield
Crete Garfield was the wife of President James Garfield and served as First Lady of the United States. Her full name was Lucretia.
You might recognize Betty Gilpin from a lot of different shows and movies! She’s appeared in series like Nurse Jackie, Masters of Sex, Elementary, GLOW, Gaslit, Mrs. Davis, Three Women, Hal & Harper, and The Terminal List: Dark Wolf. On the big screen, she’s been in films like True Story, Isn’t It Romantic, Stuber, A Dog’s Journey, The Hunt, and The Tomorrow War.
Nick Offerman plays Vice President Chester Arthur
Chester A. Arthur was a Republican politician from New York. He became president after the assassination of President James A. Garfield, having previously served as Garfield’s vice president.
You probably recognize Nick Offerman from a lot of different shows and movies! He’s appeared in series like Parks and Recreation, Fargo, Good Omens, and The Umbrella Academy, as well as films including Parks and Recreation, 21 Jump Street, We’re the Millers, and the recent Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. He’s also been in Miss Congeniality 2, Sin City, The Lego Movie, and many other popular titles.
Bradley Whitford plays Senator James Blaine
James Blaine was a prominent Republican politician from Maine. He had a long career in government, serving as a U.S. Representative, Speaker of the House, and Senator. He also served as Secretary of State under President James A. Garfield.
You probably recognize Bradley Whitford from TV shows like The West Wing, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, and The Diplomat. He’s also been in films such as Philadelphia, Get Out, and Godzilla: King of the Monsters, among many other projects.
Shea Whigham plays Senator Roscoe Conkling
Roscoe Conkling was a Republican politician and senator from New York. He disagreed with President Garfield and his efforts to reform the civil service system.
You might recognize Shea Whigham from a lot of popular movies and TV shows! He’s appeared in films like Fast & Furious, The Lincoln Lawyer, Silver Linings Playbook, American Hustle, The Wolf of Wall Street, and many more recent hits like Joker and Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse. On television, he’s been in series such as True Detective, Boardwalk Empire, Fargo, and Perry Mason, among others.
Paula Malcomson plays Franny Scoville
Who is Franny Scoville? Franny was the sister of Charles Guiteau.
You might recognize Paula Malcomson from films like The Green Mile, AI Artificial Intelligence, and The Hunger Games movies. She’s also appeared in popular TV shows including Deadwood, ER, Sons of Anarchy, Caprica, Ray Donovan, Redemption, Lawmen: Bass Reeves, Parish, and Mayor of Kingstown.
Tuppence Middleton plays Kate Chase Sprague
Kate Chase Sprague was the wife of Rhode Island’s governor, William Sprague. She became well-known due to rumors of an affair between her husband and Roscoe Conkling.
You might recognize Tuppence Middleton from a variety of TV shows and movies. She’s appeared in series like Friday Night Dinner, Black Mirror, War & Peace, and Downton Abbey, as well as films including Trance, The Imitation Game, and Mank. Other credits include roles in Dickensian, Sense8, Our House, CAUGHT, The Forsytes, Jupiter Ascending, Spooks: The Greater Good, The Current War, and Fisherman’s Friends.
Archie Fisher plays Joe Brown
Who is Joe Brown? Joe Brown was Garfield’s private secretary.
You might recognize Archie Fisher from his appearances in the BBC series Boarders and the Netflix film Steve.
Laura Marcus plays Mollie Garfield
Who is Mollie Garfield? Mollie was the daughter of James and Crete Garfield.
You might recognize Laura Marcus from her appearances in several TV shows and a movie. She’s been in series like Tom Jones, Bad Education, Miss Scarlet, The Jetty, The Serpent Queen, The Devil’s Hour, and Andor, as well as the film The Great Escaper.
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2025-11-06 11:43