Netflix’s New Historical Drama Has Viewers GLUED to Their Screens — Critics Say THIS ‘Electric’ Performance Will Leave You Breathless!

It follows the life of James A. Garfield, the 20th US president, who served from March to September 1881.

‘The story of James Garfield, who rose from obscurity to become America’s 20th President — and Charles Guiteau, the man who assassinated him,’ the streamer’s synopsis reads.

The programme stars  Michael Shannon as James A. Garfield, Matthew Macfadyen as Charles J. Guiteau and Betty Gilpin as Lucretia Garfield.

They are joined by the likes of Shea Whigham as Roscoe Conkling, Bradley Whitford as James Blaine and Nick Offerman as Chester A. Arthur.

Netflix ‘s Death By Lightning has been hailed as ‘unmissable and gripping’ by critics – with leading man Matthew Macfadyen ‘s ‘electric’ performance scoring praise in a selection of glowing reviews

The historical drama, based on Candice Millard’s novel Destiny of the Republic, hit Netflix on November 6

Paula Malcomson, Alistair Petrie, Ben Miles and Laura Marcus are also in the series.

Many have already given all four episodes a watch – and the reviews are largely glowing.

LA Times‘ TV critic Robert Lloyd’s writes: ‘The series largely belongs to them — both actors are terrific, Shannon imbuing Garfield with a gravity leavened with kindness and humor, Macfadyen’s Guiteau, optimistically dedicated to his delusions yet always about to pop. But it’s a loaded cast.

‘The ever-invaluable Betty Giplin, in her fourth big series this year after “American Primeval”, “The Terminal List: Dark Wolf” and “Hal Harper” plays Garfield’s wife, Crete, fully up on the political scene and free with her opinions.

‘Shea Whigham is New York senator and power broker Roscoe Conkling, Garfield’s moral opposite, and the series’ villain, if you excuse Guiteau as mentally ill. (The jury didn’t.).’

‘As wise Maine Sen. James Blaine, Bradley Whitford exudes a convincing, quiet authority, honed over those years working in the pretend White House on “The West Wing.” All the men have been whiskered to resemble their historical models.’

He adds: ‘Because we know what’s coming, the series can be emotionally taxing, especially as a wounded Garfield lingers through much of the final episode, while being mistreated by his doctor, Willard Bliss (Zeljko Ivanek), who ignores the advice of the younger, better informed Dr. Charles Purvis (Shaun Parkes), the first Black physician to attend to a sitting president; many, including Millard, believe it was the doctor who killed him through a lack of sanitary precautions, and that Garfield might have recovered if he’d just been left alone, an idea the series supports.

It follows the life of James A. Garfield, the 20th US president, who served from March to  September 1881

‘But you can’t change history, as much as “Death By Lightning” makes you wish you could.’

Meanwhile Hollywood Reporter‘s chief TV critic Daniel Fienberg’s headline states: ‘Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen Headline Netflix’s Mostly Gripping, Slightly Rushed Presidential Assassination Thriller.’

He adds: ‘Anchoring the series are the lead performances. Shannon projects intelligence and a likably grouchy reluctance as Garfield rises to a position that he claims he never aspired to, but perhaps subconsciously craved.

‘He captures Garfield’s famed (at the time, at least) oratory and, in scenes with Gilpin — a master at playing 21st-century women trapped in period costumes — and Laura Marcus as his daughter Molly, Shannon keeps Garfield’s doomed decency in the foreground.

‘My ideal version of the show — probably six to eight episodes, lest you think I only complain that TV shows are too long — gets a little more into Garfield’s Civil War experience and the more complicated aspects of his ideology that might have sullied the lower-case “p” progressive identity the series wants to project.’

USA Today Entertainment‘s Kelly Lawler’s headline states: ”Death by Lightning’ is the historical TV drama you simply cannot miss.’

She adds: ‘The four-episode limited series is a surprisingly fun look at the unlikely ascension of Garfield (a straight-talking Michael Shannon) to the presidency and his assassination three months later by delusional political-wannabe Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen, “Succession”).

‘It’s a shocking and tantalizing tale that you probably didn’t learn enough about in school, but creator Mike Makowksy (“Bad Education”) is happy to adapt the story for the screen from historian Candice Millard’s 2011 book “Destiny of the Republic.”‘

‘The story of James Garfield, who rose from obscurity to become America’s 20th President — and Charles Guiteau, the man who assassinated him,’ the streamer’s synopsis reads

Meanwhile New York Times‘ Alexis Soloski writes: ‘Matthew Macfadyen and Michael Shannon Make Sparks Fly.’

And The Telegraph‘s arts and entertainment editor Anita Singh says: ‘Matthew Macfadyen is simply electric in Netflix’s Death by Lightning.’

She writes: ‘The series is based on a book, Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine and the Murder of a President by Candice Millard.

‘It was published in 2011, but no doubt some observers will spot parallels with today’s political landscape.

‘Writer Mike Makowsky keeps things smart and succinct, and your attention will never wane. What could have been a fusty historical footnote is a pacy drama infused with humour.

‘You’ll come away with two things: greater knowledge of an obscure period in US political history, and a renewed appreciation for Macfadyen’s talents.’

The Guardian‘s Jack Seale says: ‘Death by Lightning pays careful tribute to Garfield, a quietly extraordinary statesman, but its focus is Guiteau and, if this show is a hit, he might finally get his wish.

‘If so, it’ll be because Charles Guiteau has become a byword for the sort of pitiable crank that Matthew Macfadyen plays better than anyone else on television.

The programme stars Michael Shannon as James A. Garfield, Matthew Macfadyen as Charles J. Guiteau and Betty Gilpin as Lucretia Garfield

 ‘Wild of eye, sporting a beard that is somehow pointy and scraggly, and forever adjusting his old clothes..

‘Guiteau is a fantasist, a liar and a serial non-payer of bills who has no skills or vocation beyond relentless self-promotion.

He adds: ‘The Succession actor [Matthew Macfadyen] is utterly brilliant in every moment of this punchy historical miniseries.

‘His portrayal of the crank who killed the US president in 1881 takes his mastery to the next level.’

The Independent‘s Patrick Smith writes: ‘Its creators have suggested it’s a forgotten story that deserves our attention – highlighting the dangers of political violence, institutional failures, and how Garfield fought against corruption and sought to unite a divided nation.

‘But period dramas about politics face as difficult a fight to “cut through” to a wider audience as politicians themselves.

‘And despite its stellar performances, this one probably won’t convince swing voters.’

Financial Times‘ Rebecca Nicholson says: ‘Shannon and Macfadyen are excellent, and the latter may well be adding to his Emmy pile after this.

‘At just four episodes, it is compact and neat, an elegant period drama that feels oddly old-fashioned, much like the values it seeks to espouse.’