Matthew Macfadyen, Michael Shannon to Star in James Garfield Drama From Game of Thrones EPs
Having climbed to the top of Waystar Royco’s org chart, Matthew Macfadyen now is setting his sights on a different seat of power: the White House.
The Succession alum has joined Netflix‘s Death by Lightning, TVLine has learned. The drama is based on Candace Millard’s 2011 book Destiny of the Republic, which chronicles the rise of President James Garfield and his assassination by presidential hanger-on Charles Guiteau.
Macfadyen will play Guiteau opposite Michael Shannon (George & Tammy) as Garfield. Garfield was the “reluctant” (per the official logline) 20th president of the United States, and Guiteau was “his greatest admirer… the man who would come to kill him.”
The series was created by Mike Makowsky (I Think We’re Alone Now), who also will serve as writer and executive producer. David Benioff and D.B. Weiss (Game of Thrones, 3 Body Problem), as well as Matt Ross (Gaslit), will executive-produce. Ross will direct all episodes.
Macfadyen portrayed corporate toady Tom Wambsgans on all four seasons of HBO’s Succession, a role for which he took home back-to-back Emmys for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama. His other credits include MI-5, Ripper Street and Howard’s End.
In addition to Showtime’s George & Tammy, Shannon’s TV resume includes Boardwalk Empire, Waco and Nine Perfect Strangers.
Are you looking forward to watching Macfadyen and Shannon in Death by Lightning? Hit the comments and let us know!
I am consistently entertained by the roles Michael Shannon plays!
Sounds great..when will it be broadcast?
This is a casting note. Any/every project has to cast the major leads first. Then fill out the other slots. THEN START FILMING. We won’t get a premier date until the show is mostly finished with post production.
It was a fascinating book that convinced me our country was very much the loser by Garfield’s assassination. It also has a lot to say about the state of medicine at the time and the horrible suffering Garfield experienced. I’ll be interested to see what the show will emphasize. Excellent casting so far.
Sounds like something I would watch.