Copyright Screen Rant
Netflix's historical drama, Death by Lightning, includes a cast packed with established actors who perfectly embody their characters. Game of Thrones' creators have taken a significant shift in genre with their newest project, which centers on the assassination of President James A. Garfield. Unlike Lincoln and JFK, James Garfield's assassination has mostly been forgotten, as has his murderer. However, this must-watch Netflix show proves how an underdog politician became the President of the United States against all odds and how a fanatical man's parasocial relationship led to an assassination. With such a meaty story, Death by Lightning needed an all-star cast who could handle playing prominent historical figures. Luckily, the actors, especially Michael Shannon, blend perfectly into their characters, making it easy to invest in the story. These are all the actors, characters, and information about their real-life counterparts. Michael Shannon as James A. Garfield Active Since: 1992 Actor Michael Shannon was born in Lexington, Kentucky, and got his big break as John Givings in Revolutionary Road, for which he earned an Oscar nomination. Since then, he has built a successful career in both movies and TV. Notable Movies & TV Shows: Character: James A. Garfield was the 20th President of the United States of America, and a fanatic assassinated him. Before becoming president, he served as a major general in the Union Army and became a nine-term member of the United States House of Representatives. Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Guiteau Active Since: 1997 Actor: Matthew Macfadyen was born in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, UK. He had a minor break when he was cast as Hareton Earnshaw in 1998, but his true big break came in 2005 when he played Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice, opposite Keira Knightley. Since then, his career has boomed, leading to three BAFTAs, two Emmys, and a Golden Globe. Notable Movies & TV Shows: Character: Charles Guiteau was a charlatan who became obsessed with James A. Garfield, believing himself responsible for the president's victory. After getting rejected for a Paris consulship, he felt betrayed, deciding to assassinate him. Nick Offerman as Chester Arthur Active Since: 1994 Actor: Nick Offerman was born in Joliet, Illinois, and he became a household name after he was cast as Ron Swanson in Parks and Rec. Since then, his acting career has flourished, which he has done alongside his carpentry. He became a host of a game show called Making It. In 2023, he won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for the episode "Long, Long Time" in The Last of Us. Notable Movies & TV Shows: Character: Chester Arthur was the collector of the Port of New York, who was appointed the vice presidential running mate to balance out the ticket and appease New York. He became the vice president under James A. Garfield and had to step into the presidency after the assassination. Betty Gilpin as Lucretia Garfield Active Since: 2008 Actor: Betty Gilpin was born in New York City, New York, and she got her big break when she played Debbie "Liberty Belle" Eagan in Netflix's GLOW, for which she gained three Emmy nominations. Since then, her career has continued to grow steadily. Notable Movies & TV Shows: Character: Lucretia Garfield was a highly educated and politically savvy woman married to James A. Garfield. She assisted him in his presidential campaign and became the First Lady of the United States of America. Death By Lightning Supporting Cast & Characters Bradley Whitford as James Blaine: James Blaine, played by Bradley Whitford, was the Speaker of the House when James A. Garfield was president. He was part of the “Half-Breed” moderate sect of the Republican Party. Whitford has an impressive acting background. His most notable roles include Josh Lyman in The West Wing, Dean Armitage in Get Out, and Joseph Lawrence in The Handmaid’s Tale. Shae Whigham as Roscoe Conkling: Roscoe Conkling, played by Shae Whigham in Death by Lightning, was a representative from New York and an enemy of James A. Garfield. He let the “Stalwarts” sect of the Republican Party. Whigham is best known for playing Elias “Eli” Thompson in Boardwalk Empire, Carl Elway in American Hustle, and Dewart in Take Shelter. Vondie Curtis-Hall as Frederick Douglass: Famous abolitionist Frederick Douglass, played by Vondie Curtis-Hall, was an escaped slave who became a leader in the fight for civil rights. He supported James A. Garfield’s presidential campaign, helping him win the race. Viewers will recognize Curtis-Hall for playing Judge Nicholas Byrne in For All The People, Ben Urich in Daredevil, and Walter Nyland in the cast of The Recruit. Barry Shabaka Henley as Blanche Bruce: Blanche Bruce, played by Barry Shabaka Henley, was a freed-slave who became the first Black politician to serve a full Senate term. He also became the first Black man to serve as the Register of the Treasury. Henley’s most notable roles include Bobby in Rush Hour, Terry Drake in Bosch, and Uncle Tunde in Bob Hearts Abishola. Laura Marcas as Mollie Garfield: Mollie Garfield, played by Laura Marcas in Death by Lightning, was the daughter of James A. Garfield and Lucretia Garfield. Marcas is an up-and-coming actor whose most notable roles to date are Jinx in Bad Education, Elisabeth in The Serpent Queen, and Beela in Andor. Tuppence Middleton as Kate Chase Sprague: Kate Chase Sprague, played by Tuppence Middleton, is a married socialite who had an affair with Senator Roscoe Conkling. However, he refused to take their relationship public. Middleton has acted in numerous historical dramas. Her most notable roles are Amelia Havisham in Dickensian, Helene Bezukhova in War & Peace, and Lucy Branson in Downton Abbey: A New Era. Kyle Soller as Robert Todd Lincoln: Robert Todd Lincoln, played by Kyle Soller in Death by Lightning, is the son of Abraham Lincoln and Mary Todd Lincoln, and he served as the U.S. Secretary of War for James A. Garfield. Soller is best known for playing Korsunsky in Anna Karenina, Dr. Elliot Blake in The Titan, and Syril Karn in the cast of Andor. Zeljko Ivanek as Dr. Willard Bliss: Dr. Willard Bliss, played by Zeljko Ivanek, is a doctor who rejected the anti-sepsis movement, taking zero precautions while tending to James A. Garfield’s gunshot wound. Ivanek is best known for playing Russell Jackson in Madam Secretary, The Croat in The Walking Dead: Dead City, and Robert Pender in Argo. Shaun Parkes as Dr. Charles Purvis: Dr. Charles Purvis, played by Shaun Parkes, was the first Black doctor to treat an active United States president, and would eventually become the surgeon-in-charge of Freedman Hospital. Parkes’ most notable roles include Izzy in The Mummy Returns, A.J. Poulain in The River, and Captain Radic in Lost in Space.
