Having etched his name in television history as Tom Wambsgans in Succession, Matthew Macfadyen is set to captivate audiences again with a new “loser” role. Netflix’s four-part mini-series Death by Lightning, premiering on November 6, 2025, delves into the assassination of U.S. President James A. Garfield.
Macfadyen portrays Charles Giteau, the man who shot Garfield—a figure caught between ambition, madness, and failure, one of history’s strangest characters. Judging by the trailer, the clueless ambition of Succession’s Tom transforms into a historical tragedy here. Giteau’s obsession with power and recognition drives him to insanity, culminating in his attempt to kill the U.S. president.
Adapted from Candice Millard’s bestselling book Destiny of the Republic, the series stars Michael Shannon as Garfield and Nick Offerman as Vice President Chester A. Arthur. Directed by Jesse Armstrong, known for bringing a cinematic flair to political dramas, the project promises a rich narrative.
Death by Lightning is more than a historical assassination tale; it’s a dark portrait of a marginalized man’s desperate quest for significance. Giteau’s yearning to “be somebody” leads him from religious cults to a failed legal career and, ultimately, to madness.
In the trailer, Macfadyen’s performance retains the ironic tone of Succession while plunging into a genuine psychological breakdown. Netflix describes the series as “a dark comedy epic where American power, madness, and faith collide.”
Critics are already calling Macfadyen’s role “potentially the riskiest yet most compelling performance of his career.”
In short: Death by Lightning blends history, humor, and tragedy, shaping up to be a project worthy of Macfadyen’s masterful era.
📅 Release Date: November 6, 2025
📺 Platform: Netflix
🎭 Cast: Matthew Macfadyen, Michael Shannon, Nick Offerman
