Death By Lightning is a four-part historical drama that tells the tale of what led to the 20th President of the United States being assassinated.
Hayley Anderson TV Reporter
09:15, 06 Nov 2025
Netflix has released historical drama Death By Lightning with many subscribers growing curious about where the true drama was filmed.
Based on Candice Millard’s book Destiny of the Republic, Death By Lightning was released in its entirety on Netflix on Thursday, November 6.
In 1881, James A Garfield (portrayed by Michael Shannon) unexpectedly ascended to the presidency after initially backing John Sherman’s (Alistair Petrie) campaign for election.
While the Netflix series charts his rise to power, it also depicts how his future assassin Charles Guiteau (Matthew Macfadyen) rapidly becomes his most ardent admirer.
As viewers start to immerse themselves in the new limited series, many are curious about where Death By Lightning was filmed, and it’s not where you might think.
American historical drama Death By Lightning was shot in Budapest, Hungary.(Image: NETFLIX)
Where Death By Lightning filmed?
Despite Death By Lightning focusing on a significant period in American history, the Netflix programme wasn’t actually shot in the US.
Instead, filming for Death By Lightning took place in Budapest, Hungary, commencing on July 1, 2024, and concluding in October of the same year.
No official explanation has been provided as to why the American show was filmed outside of the US, but Hungary does offer an attractive tax rebate for production companies, which serves as a financial incentive to film there.
Death By Lightning is not the only production to utilise Budapest as a backdrop, with other popular titles such as Dune, The Witcher, Blade Runner 2049 and Homeland also filmed there.
Death By Lightning stars Nick Offerman as Vice President Chester Arthur. (Image: NETFLIX)
The Netflix drama’s cast is led by Michael Shannon from The Shape of Water, who plays Garfield, and Matthew Macfadyen from Succession, who portrays Guiteau.
They are accompanied by a host of recognisable faces including Nick Offerman from Parks and Recreation, Betty Gilpin from GLOW, Bradley Whitford from The West Wing and Shea Whigham from Joker.
Discussing what viewers can anticipate from Death By Lightning, creator Mike Makowsky stated: “It’s been the thrill of a lifetime seeing this crack team come together to bring James Garfield and his cohort back from the annals of long-forgotten history.
“Six years into working on this project, it’s a story I still can’t believe is true – in all its wild, tragic glory – and it somehow feels even more relevant to our world today than ever before.
“I can’t wait for us to be able to finally share it.”
Death By Lightning is now available to watch on Netflix.
