Michael Shannon (“Nocturnal Animals”) is to play assassinated President James A. Garfield with Matthew Macfadyen (“Succession”) as his killer Charles Guiteau in a new series, “Death by Lightning” for Netflix, Deadline was first to report.
Based on historian Candice Millard’s book, “Destiny of The Republic,” the series is set to follow Guiteau, a failed evangelist, insurance salesman, attorney, and one-time admirer of President Garfield whose obsession turned deadly.
After stalking Garfield in the capital for weeks, Guiteau found his opportunity to strike on the morning of July 2, 1881, after a newspaper article tipped off the soon-to-be-assassin of the president’s whereabouts.
Guiteau shot Garfield twice in the back with a .442 Webley, nicknamed the British Bulldog revolver for its large-caliber capacity.
Garfield’s doctors were unable to remove the bullet, which was lodged in the president’s pancreas. On Sept. 19, 1881, 80 days after the shooting, Garfield died of blood poisoning, “
Continuing his stunning run of audaciousness, the imprisoned Guiteau — who had previously castrated himself — placed an advert in the local newspaper stating: “I am looking for a wife and see no objection in mentioning it here. I want an elegant Christian lady of wealth, under 30, belonging to a first-class family. Any such lady can address me with the utmost confidence.”
He told The Herald that he had “shot the president without malice or murderous intent.”
“Death By Lightning” comes from the mind of Mike Makowsky, the “Bad Education” screenwriter, and is directed by Matt Ross (“Captain Fantastic”) with the “Game of Thrones” duo David Benioff and D.B. Weiss producing, according to Deadline.
No word yet as to when this historical drama will be released, but it will surely attract history and “Succession” fans alike.
