Death by Lightning Destiny of the Republic (Season 1, Episode 4)
TV-MA
TV Episode | 66 min | Biography, Drama, History

Primary photo for Destiny of the Republic

Death by Lightning

Destiny of the Republic (Season 1, Episode 4)

TV-MA

TV Episode | 66 min | Biography, Drama, History

Conkling goes on the offensive as Garfield challenges the New York political machine. Isolated and desperate, Guiteau weighs a history-making decision.

Creator

Mike Makowsky (series created by)

Showrunner

Mike Makowsky

Director

Matt Ross

Writers

Mike Makowsky (written for television by) | Candice Millard (based on 'Destiny of the Republic: A Tale of Madness, Medicine, and the Murder of a President' by)

Producers

Olly Robinson (producer) | Hameed Shaukat (producer)

Composer

Ramin Djawadi (music by)

Cinematographer

Adriano Goldman (director of photography)

Editors

Anna Hauger (edited by) | Joseph Krings (edited by) | Joe Leonard (edited by) | Michael Ruscio (edited by)

Casting

Nicole Abellera (as Nicole Abellera Hallman) | Jeanne McCarthy

Production Designer

Gemma Jackson

See all filmmakers & crew

Edit Released

Updated Oct 6, 2025

Release date

Nov 6, 2025 (United States)

Awards

Series awards

1 win & 4 nominations

Contacts

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Cast	+ Add Cast
41 cast members

Name	Known for
Matthew Macfadyen Charles Guiteau Charles Guiteau See fewer	Succession (2018)
Michael Shannon James Garfield James Garfield See fewer	Take Shelter (2011)
Betty Gilpin Crete Garfield Crete Garfield See fewer	The Hunt (II) (2020)
Shea Whigham Roscoe Conkling Roscoe Conkling See fewer	Take Shelter (2011)
Bradley Whitford James Blaine James Blaine See fewer	Get Out (I) (2017)
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Barry Shabaka Henley Blanche Bruce Blanche Bruce See fewer	Collateral (2004)
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Richard Rankin Alexander Graham Bell Alexander Graham Bell See fewer	Outlander (2014)
Laura Marcus Mollie Garfield Mollie Garfield See fewer	The Great Escaper (2023)
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Jack Alldridge Harry Garfield Harry Garfield See fewer	Death by Lightning (2025)
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Ralph Berkin Lapham Lapham See fewer	Rumours (2024)
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Timothy Otis NY Reporter NY Reporter See fewer	Dark Blue World (2001)
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Guy Roberts Sgt. Mason Sgt. Mason See fewer	The Wheel of Time (2021)
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