The show is available on Netflix (stock image)(Image: LARRY HORRICKS/NETFLIX)
A social media user recently turned to fellow Netflix viewers for recommendations after feeling they had already worked through most of the platform’s biggest hits. They were particularly interested in discovering lesser-known gems or newer series capable of becoming their next binge-watch obsession.
“I feel like I’ve seen most of the popular ones, but I’m still missing a few gems,” they explained, asking others to share underrated shows they believed deserved a wider audience. They also welcomed suggestions for anything recently released that had proved especially difficult to stop watching.
Death By Lightning is a huge hit (stock image)(Image: LARRY HORRICKS/NETFLIX)
The recommendation quickly gained support from other viewers. One person singled out Death by Lightning, describing it as an easy binge thanks to its four-episode run, while another immediately agreed, praising both the series and its cast.
Similar enthusiasm appeared in a separate discussion, where several fans admitted they had raced through the entire drama. One viewer said they finished it in a single sitting, calling Michael Shannon and Matthew Macfadyen “mesmerising” and praising Nick Offerman’s humorous performance as Chester Arthur alongside the strong supporting cast.
Another fan recalled sitting down with their wife intending to watch only one episode before unexpectedly completing the whole series. Others shared comparable experiences, with one saying they binged it in a day and another admitting it was “way better” than expected.
With only four episodes and performances repeatedly singled out for praise, the series has clearly struck a chord with viewers looking for a compelling drama that can comfortably be finished in an afternoon or evening.
What is Death by Lightning about?
For anyone unfamiliar with the series, Death by Lightning is an American historical drama created by Mike Makowsky and adapted from Candice Millard’s 2011 book Destiny of the Republic. The four-part miniseries premiered on Netflix in November 2025.
Michael Shannon leads the cast as James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, while Matthew Macfadyen portrays Charles J. Guiteau, the man who would ultimately assassinate him.
The drama traces Garfield’s rise to the presidency and his time in office, exploring his opposition to political corruption and commitment to civil rights. Running alongside his story is Guiteau’s increasingly consequential presence — a misguided supporter whose connection to the president eventually ends in tragedy.
Following its release, the series received widespread critical acclaim, with the performances attracting particular attention. The American Film Institute later included Death by Lightning among its finest television programmes of the year.
Shannon and Macfadyen are joined by an impressive supporting cast that includes Betty Gilpin as Lucretia Garfield and Shea Whigham as Roscoe Conkling. With just four episodes telling the complete story, the acclaimed historical drama has proved an especially accessible choice for viewers looking for something substantial without committing to a lengthy series.
