Is There a ‘Struck by Lightning’ Show on Netflix? What Is It Actually About?

Published 11/07/2025, 11:14 AM EST

Netflix has become the ultimate destination for viewers of all types, offering an endless library spanning every genre imaginable. Its platform encourages binge-watching, as enthusiasts chase hidden gems, revisit classics, or discover brand-new stories that capture their attention. Whenever a title raises curiosity, audiences instinctively turn to Netflix, hoping it lives in its vast collection. 

Curiosity is at an all-time high as the baffling title Struck by Lightning raises confusion, leaving audiences wondering what it really entails.

Struck by Lightning: A hidden gem on Netflix?

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There is no show on Netflix called Struck by Lightning, but it is Death by Lightning Strikes, a limited series that explores the extraordinary true story of James Garfield, portrayed by Shannon, the hesitant 20th President of the United States. The show delves into Garfield’s rise to power, his complex personality, and the political turbulence of his era. At the center is Charles Guiteau, played by Macfadyen, a man whose obsession with Garfield transforms into deadly betrayal. The series vividly captures ambition, admiration, and the tragic consequences of fanaticism, blending history with intense human drama.

Death by Lightning Strikes concludes by showing how primitive medical practices prolonged James Garfield’s death, even more than the bullet itself. The series highlights Lucretia Garfield’s resilience and Charles Guiteau’s obsession, portraying a man consumed by delusion and ambition. Garfield’s assassination becomes a tragic irony: a visionary cut down too soon, while the real corruption lay within his assassin’s disturbed mind, leaving history to remember the president’s unrealized potential. Its stellar cast brings these events to life, making the story unforgettable.

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The cast of Death by Lightning Strikes brims with remarkable talent, each actor bringing intensity and nuance that demands attention.

Death by Lightning Strikes: Meet the brilliant cast behind the drama

Death by Lightning Strikes features a stellar cast that brings history to life. Michael Shannon portrays James Garfield, the hesitant twentieth president, while Matthew Macfadyen embodies the obsessed Charles Guiteau. Betty Gilpin plays First Lady Crete Garfield, and Nick Offerman takes on Vice President Chester Arthur. Bradley Whitford is Senator James Blaine, with Shea Whigham as Senator Roscoe Conkling. Paula Malcomson is Franny Scoville, Tuppence Middleton is Kate Chase Sprague, and Archie Fisher is Joe Brown, each delivering performances that elevate the gripping drama.

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Laura Marcus portrays Mollie Garfield, the daughter of James and Crete, while Barry Shabaka Henley is Senator Blanche Bruce. Željko Ivanek plays Dr. Bliss, and Kyle Soller embodies Robert Todd Lincoln. Ben Miles takes on George Scoville, Vondie Curtis-Hall is Frederick Douglass, Shaun Parkes portrays Dr. Charles Purvis, and Alistair Petrie is John Sherman. Death by Lightning Strikes brings James A. Garfield’s shocking story to life, keeping viewers glued to the plot as each performance adds intensity, intrigue, and historical depth.

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What do you think about Death by Lightning Strikes plot? Let us know in the comments below, written without mistakes.

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Yusra Miraj Khan

1176 articles

Yusra Miraj Khan is an Entertainment Journalist at Netflix Junkie. Specializing in Taylor Swift and the British Royal Family, she transforms modern mythologies into high-ranking, reader-first narratives. Since joining in early 2025, Khan has penned over 500 articles, known for their sharp decoding of Easter eggs and PR silences.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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