Matthew Macfadyen Reflects on Filming 'Death by Lightning' Amid Trump Assassination Attempt
Matthew Macfadyen shared how filming the Netflix historical drama Death by Lightning felt surreal following the July 2024 assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump. The series depicts the election and assassination of President James A. Garfield, with Macfadyen portraying Charles Guiteau, Garfield's assassin.
Parallel Between Fiction and Reality
Speaking with USA Today, Macfadyen noted that the real-life event echoed the themes of the show. Production took place in Hungary during summer 2024, coinciding with the news of the attack on Trump reaching the cast.
Filming Atmosphere and Scene Insights
“It was extremely hot that day, and it felt very stark and quite lonely. We were shooting in this enormous space on the outskirts of Budapest, and they'd built a proper gallows. It was quite odd and eerie.” – Matthew Macfadyen
This scene involved filming Guiteau’s execution, contributing to the heavy atmosphere surrounding the project.
Michael Shannon on Political Resonance
Michael Shannon, who plays Garfield, observed that the project became increasingly relevant as real-life political events unfolded, including discussions around President Joe Biden’s re-election campaign and Kamala Harris’s nomination to run against Trump.
“The fact that he was able to keep thinking about other people and trying to manage the situation, even though he was in so much pain.” – Michael Shannon, reflecting on Garfield’s endurance after his shooting in 1881
Shannon was deeply moved by Garfield’s strength and ability to remain composed during his final days.
Summary
The unexpected real-world events during filming added a profound and eerie layer of relevance to the portrayal of political assassination and endurance in Death by Lightning.
Author's Note
This account highlights how historical drama can gain poignant relevance when real-world events mirror its narrative, intensifying the actors' connection to their roles.