Five star period drama based on true story leaves | UK News

Period drama lovers have been raving about a beloved Netflix sequence, which has viewers watching it on repeat. The drama miniseries Death by Lightning, created by Mike Makowsky, is based on the 2011 guide, Destiny of the Republic, by Candice Millard. The sequence premiered on November 6, 2025, on the global streamer and has obtained widespread reward from critics and followers online.

The sequence is based on the epic and stranger-than-fiction true story of James Garfield (performed by Michael Shannon), the reluctant twentieth president of the United States. It also follows the complicated relationship between Garfield and Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen) – the person who was not only the president’s best admirer, but also his murderer.

It also acknowledges that, as presidential assassins go, Guiteau’s identify is hardly as well-known as John Wilkes Booth or Lee Harvey Oswald, the killers who assassinated Abraham Lincoln and John F Kennedy, respectively.

The show explores the life and legacy of the reluctant president, and despite being set almost 150 years in the past, it still feels extremely related. Filming for the sequence started in Budapest on July 1, 2024, and wrapped up in October of the same yr.

The epic historic sequence, which followers can stream now, stars an ensemble solid led by Shannon and Macfadyen. They shared the screen with Betty Gilpin, who performed Shannon’s on-screen spouse, Lucretia Garfield, and Nick Offerman, who portrayed Chester A. Arthur.

Michael Shannon was eager to play Garfield because he didn’t know something about the president. Meanwhile, Macfadyen in contrast his interpretation of Giuteau to the Pixar villain, Syndrome. Although the four-part sequence only launched last week, the show has already obtained an spectacular 88% rating on the favored critics review website, Rotten Tomatoes.

The web site’s consensus reads: “Handsomely mounted and electrified by Matthew Macfadyen’s masterclass in slimy desperation, Death by Lightning concisely dramatises a fork in history while wistfully hinting at what could’ve been.” It did not take long before followers swarmed to social media to bathe the show with reward online.

One consumer penned: “I absolutely loved this show. It was a grand spectacle of a story depicting the path of James Garfield and his assassin. I will give this show 5/5 stars, and I hope this sparks a light into the lesser-known presidents in our history. Beautiful show, and I would certainly love to see it again.”

Another agreed: “Great acting, fascinating characters. And an unknown, brilliant story. Funny, touching, and at times, sad. Death by Lightning kept me engaged from start to finish. Political junkies like myself will be captivated. The best four hours I’ve spent watching TV in ages.”

A 3rd chimed in with: “Wow. I’m embarrassed to say I did not even know about President James Garfield until this series. It is an amazing story and very well done. The acting is phenomenal. I was truly moved in more ways than one. A must see.”