The Stranger-Than-Fiction True Story Behind Netflix’s New Star-Studded Historical Miniseries

The Stranger-Than-Fiction True Story Behind Netflix’s New Historical Miniseries

Death by Lightning, Netflix’s new historical miniseries, recounts the shocking assassination of U.S. President James Garfield — a story so unbelievable it could be mistaken for fiction.

The Roots of Obsession

Before anyone coined the term “parasocial relationship,” there was Charles Guiteau — a failed lawyer and self-styled preacher who fancied himself a political insider. He became convinced that he was personally responsible for Garfield’s rise to the presidency.

After the White House ignored his increasingly desperate letters demanding an ambassadorship to Paris, Guiteau’s obsession turned dangerous.

The Fatal Act

In the sweltering summer of 1881, Guiteau confronted President Garfield at a Washington, D.C. train station and shot him in the back. In his delusion, he believed that by killing the president he had saved the Republican Party — perhaps even the nation itself.

Netflix’s Modern Reimagining

The series transforms this tragic piece of history into a darkly comic reflection on ego, obsession, and the fragility of democracy. It finds humor and horror in equal measure as it explores how one man’s hunger for validation collided with a decaying political system.

Creative Team

Together, they resurrect this strange yet true chapter of American history in a surreal and captivating adaptation that blurs the line between fact and fever dream.

Author’s Summary: A delusional man’s quest for recognition led to a presidential tragedy, now reborn as Netflix’s darkly witty portrayal of ego, politics, and madness.

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Collider Collider — 2025-11-07

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