
The opening line of this compelling first episode of Death by Lightning sets a somber tone. The miniseries, based on Candice Millard’s Destiny of the Republic, aims to show that President James Garfield was a significant figure who shouldn’t have faded from history. So far, the show portrays Garfield – played by Michael Shannon – with a surprising humility and dignity, a departure from the actor’s usual roles. Interestingly, Matthew Macfadyen, not Shannon, plays Charles Guiteau, and that casting choice proves brilliant as soon as he begins to speak. Millard’s book highlights Garfield as a promising successor to Lincoln – a gifted speaker and a strong, principled man from the Midwest who opposed slavery and championed the nation’s best values.