Death by Lightning is a historical drama series created by Mike Makowsky. Based on the 2011 book titled “Destiny of the Republic” by Candice Millard, the Netflix series chronicles the formative years of the life of the 20th President of the United States, James A. Garfield, including his connection with his deluded admirer, Charles J. Guiteau, who ultimately shot him. Death by Lightning stars Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Betty Gilpin, Shea Whigham, Bradley Whitford, and Nick Offerman. So, if you loved the historical drama, intriguing story, and compelling characters in Death by Lightning, here are some similar shows you should check out next.
Manhunt (Apple TV+)
Manhunt is a historical drama miniseries created by Monica Beletsky. Based on James L. Swanson’s historical book Manhunt: The 12-Day Chase of Lincoln’s Killer, the Apple TV+ series revolves around the manhunt of John Wilkes Booth being carried out by President Abraham Lincoln’s Secretary of War Edwin Stanton. Manhunt stars Tobias Menzies, Anthony Boyle, Lovie Simone, Will Harrison, Brandon Flynn, Damian O’Hare, Glenn Morshower, Patton Oswalt, and Matt Walsh.
Turn: Washington’s Spies (AMC+, Philo, The Roku Channel, & Rent on Prime Video)
Turn: Washington’s Spies is a historical drama series created by Craig Silverstein. Based on the 2007 historical book Washington’s Spies: The Story of America’s First Spy Ring by Alexander Rose, the AMC series is set in 1770, and it revolves around a group of friends who form a spy organization known as the Culper Ring and soon find themselves in the midst of the American Revolutionary War. Turn: Washington’s Spies stars Jamie Bell, Seth Numrich, Daniel Henshall, Heather Lind, Meegan Warner, and Burn Gorman.
The Plot Against America (HBO Max & Rent on Prime Video)
The Plot Against America is an alternate history drama series co-created by David Simon and Ed Burns. Based on the 2004 novel of the same name by Philip Roth, the HBO series is set in an alternate United States, and it revolves around a Jewish family in Newark, New Jersey, as a xenophobic populist politician rises to power. The Plot Against America stars Winona Ryder, Anthony Boyle, Zoe Kazan, Morgan Spector, Michael Kostroff, David Krumholtz, and Azhy Robertson.
Political Animals (Buy on Amazon)
Political Animals is a political comedy-drama miniseries created by Greg Berlanti. The USA Network series follows Elaine Barrish Hammond, the Secretary of State of the United States, who’s also the former First Lady. Elaine struggles with the political nature of her job while also trying to keep her dysfunctional family together. Political Animals stars Sigourney Weaver, Carla Gugino, James Wolk, Sebastian Stan, Brittany Ishibashi, Ellen Burstyn, and Ciaran Hinds.
John Adams (HBO Max & Rent on Prime Video)
John Adams is a historical drama miniseries created by Kirk Ellis. Based on the 2001 biography book of the same name by David McCullough, the HBO series chronicles the life of John Adams, the second President of the United States of America. John Adams stars Paul Giamatti, Laura Linney, Stephen Dillane, David Morse, Tom Wilkinson, Danny Huston, Rufus Sewell, Justin Theroux, and Guy Henry.
House of Cards (Netflix)
House of Cards is a political conspiracy thriller series created by Beau Willimon. Based on the 1989 novel of the same name by Michael Dobbs and its British adaptation, the Netflix series follows Democrat appointee and Secretary of State of the United States Frank Underwood as he and his wife, Claire Underwood, ruthlessly eliminate any obstacle that stands between them and their goal of securing the Oval Office. House of Cards stars Kevin Spacey, Robin Wright, Michael Kelly, Jayne Atkinson, and Kate Mara.
Grant (Prime Video)
Grant is a historical war drama miniseries co-written by Nicholas Greene and Frederick Rendina. Based on the 2017 biographical book of the same name by Ron Chernow, the History Channel series chronicles the life of Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States, during the turbulent times of the Civil War and Reconstruction. Grant stars Justin Salinger, Carel Nel, Dianne Simpson, Craig Jackson, Brian Heydenrych, and Daniel Fox.