‘Death by Lightning’ Tops Netflix Chart on Debut and Can Be Binge-Watched in 4 Hours

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Some of the most compelling shows don’t need to be long to be great, and the current number one series is a perfect example. At only four episodes, it’s a captivating drama that’s well worth watching, and many people are already enjoying it this weekend.

Death by Lightning is a limited series that tells the largely untold story of James Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, and his connection to his assassin, Charles Guiteau. The series, starring Garfield and Guiteau, has been praised for the powerful performances of its lead actors and for being a compelling historical drama based on true events.

The series was created by Mike Makowsky, and is based on Candice Millard’s 2011 book, Destiny of the Republic. The full synopsis of the series reads:

The show tells the story of James A. Garfield, the 20th U.S. President, focusing on his fight against corruption and support for civil rights. It also details his relationship with Charles J. Guiteau, an unstable follower who eventually assassinated him, leading to Garfield’s death.

The new series quickly became the most-watched show on Netflix and has received overwhelmingly positive reviews. Critics gave it an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and audiences rated it even higher at 89%. However, the audience score might be skewed, as all nine reviews so far have been perfect five-star ratings. Many viewers and critics have lauded the actors’ performances, with some calling them Oscar-worthy. The show is also being praised for shedding light on a little-known period of American history. Interestingly, some viewers have even pointed to a character in the series as the kind of leader America needs, admiring his intelligence, humility, and dedication to serving his country.

Michael Shannon Knew Nothing About James Garfield


Netflix

Michael Shannon recently admitted he didn’t know much about James Garfield before taking on the role of the president, but quickly developed a deep respect for him while preparing. In an interview with People magazine ahead of the show’s November 6th premiere, Shannon explained that he grew to admire Garfield’s efforts to improve the country, and expressed a wish for similar leadership today. He then shared:

I only knew his name beforehand, but I’m really inspired by James Garfield. He represents everything I’d want in a president – he came from humble beginnings, worked incredibly hard, and was driven to succeed. He also genuinely cared about others. I honestly wish he were president today.

Death by Lightning is streaming now on Netflix.

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2025-11-08 15:32