Vondie Curtis-Hall and Barry Shabaka Henley have officially joined the cast of Netflix’s upcoming limited series Death by Lightning. This historical drama, produced by Game of Thrones creators David Benioff and D.B. Weiss, brings to life the remarkable true story of James Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, and his assassin, Charles Guiteau.
Curtis-Hall will portray the iconic Frederick Douglass, while Henley steps in as Senator Blanche Bruce, replacing Stephen McKinley Henderson. The series is expected to debut next year, featuring a talented ensemble cast including Michael Shannon as President Garfield, Matthew Macfadyen as his assassin Guiteau, and Betty Gilpin as First Lady Crete Garfield.
Other notable actors include Nick Offerman as Vice President Chester Arthur, Bradley Whitford as Secretary of State James Blaine, and Shea Whigham as Senator Roscoe Conkling. Additional cast members are Željko Ivanek, Shaun Parkes, Ben Miles, Kyle Soller, and Alistair Petrie.
Death by Lightning, based on Candice Millard’s novel Destiny of the Republic, captures the dramatic events surrounding Garfield’s assassination in 1881. The series explores Garfield’s reluctant rise to power, his unfulfilled term as president, and the delusions of Guiteau, who believed he played a significant role in Garfield’s election. The story is brought to life by writer Mike Makowsky (Bad Education) and directed by Justin Ross, with all episodes being overseen by Benioff and Weiss under their exclusive deal with Netflix.
With production wrapped in Budapest, Death by Lightning is set to be a gripping portrayal of one of American history’s lesser-known tragedies. Stay tuned for more updates as the series approaches its release next year.