- - See How the 'Death by Lightning' Cast Compares to Their Real-Life Counterparts

Emily BurackNovember 9, 2025 at 11:30 PM

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Death by Lightning Cast vs. Real-Life Larry Horricks/Netflix; Library of Congress/Getty Images

Netflix’s latest historical dramas brings to life the story of the assassination of James Garfield.

“It’s been the thrill of a lifetime seeing this crack team come together to bring James Garfield and his cohort back from the annals of long-forgotten history,” creator Mike Makowsky told Tudum. “Six years into working on this project, it’s a story I still can’t believe is true — in all its wild, tragic glory — and it somehow feels even more relevant to our world today than ever before. I can’t wait for us to be able to finally share it.”

He added, “The theme of corruption in politics and our bureaucracy feels particularly evergreen these day. The idea of civil service reform and waging a battle to clean up the grift in our government — this is something that Garfield very much stood on the front lines of in his time. In 1881, it feels like America is sort of standing at a crossroads between the past and what the future of this country is going to look like, and it’s up to [people like Garfield] to really define how America, 100 years after its inception, is going to look and what kind of society they’re going to be.”

Here, see how the cast of the Netflix historical drama compares to the real-life people they play on screen:

Michael Shannon as James A. Garfield

Photo credit: Larry Horricks/Netflix; Brady-Handy/Epics/Getty Images

Michael Shannon leads the cast as James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States.

Matthew Macfadyen as Charles J. Guiteau

Photo credit: Larry Horricks/Netflix; Heritage Images/Getty Images

Matthew Macfadyen, who you may recognize from his recent turn on Succession, takes on the role of Charles Guiteau, the man who assassinated Garfield.

Nick Offerman as Chester A. Arthur

Photo credit: Larry Horricks/Netflix; Bettmann/Getty Images

Nick Offerman, best known for his role as Ron on Parks & Recreation, plays Chester A. Arthur, Garfield’s VP and successor, in Death by Lightning. Note the mutton chops: they are Offferman’s own. He revealed at the show’s premiere, “I had my own big mutton chops and I put on about 20 pounds to add some chin.”

Betty Gilpin as Lucretia Garfield

Photo credit: Larry Horricks/Netflix; Universal History Archive/Getty Images

Betty Gilpin, who recently portrayed another First Lady (Mary Lincoln) on Broadway, plays First Lady Lucretia Garfield in Death by Lightning.

Bradley Whitford as James Blaine

Photo credit: Larry Horricks/Netflix; Universal History Archive/Getty Images

Bradley Whitford is no stranger to a political drama (see: his recent turn in The Diplomat as First Gentleman, or his portrayal of White House Deputy Chief of Staff in The West Wing), and in Death by Lightning, he takes on the role of U.S. Senator turned Secretary of State James Blaine.

Shea Whigham as Roscoe Conkling

Photo credit: Larry Horricks/Netflix; Bettmann/Getty Images

In perhaps the most inspired piece of casting in Death by Lightning, Shea Whigham (best known for his role in Boardwalk Empire) plays Republican politician Roscoe Conkling. The two men look like they could be related.

Laura Marcus as Mollie Garfield

Photo credit: Larry Horricks/Netflix; Heritage Images/Getty Images

Laura Marcus—who recently appeared in The Great Escaper—plays First Daughter Mollie Garfield.

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