Game of Thrones' bosses cast Matthew Macfadyen in new assassination drama

Game of Thrones bosses David Benioff and D.B. Weiss have cast Matthew Macfadyen in their new assassination drama for Netflix.

Death By Lightning is based on Candice Millard's best-selling book Destiny of the Republic, which examined the tragic story of US President James Garfield (via Deadline).

The Succession star will play Charles Guiteau, the assassin who shot Garfield in 1881 — only six months after he took office. The Flash's Michael Shannon will play the former President.

Related: Succession star Kieran Culkin's new movie gets 100% Rotten Tomatoes score

Death by Lightning is a drama series about the unusual true story of James Garfield (Shannon), reluctant 20th President of the United States, and his greatest supporter Charles Guiteau (Macfadyen) — the man who would eventually murder him.

Bad Education screenwriter Mike Makowsky has created the series, with Captain Fantastic's Matt Ross on board to direct all the episodes.

The pair will also executive produce, alongside Bernie Caulfield and the Game of Thrones' duo — who will collaborate on the show as part of their overall deal with the streaming service.

Related: Succession's Jesse Armstrong rules out spin-off for hit show

The project marks Macfadyen's first television role since saying goodbye to his character Tom Wambsgans in the final season of the hit HBO drama last year.

The actor recently won an Emmy and Golden Globe for his performance in Succession's farewell season, having previously won an Emmy in 2022. Sarah Snook and Kieran Culkin have also taken home awards for their portrayal of Shiv and Roman Roy.

Last year, Brian Cox — who played the show's patriarch Logan Roy — admitted that he was "happy" that the series was coming to a close. "I think we've, you know, got to the point where the show has reached its natural closure," he told Entertainment Tonight.

Death By Lightning doesn't have a release date yet. Succession aired on HBO in the US, and is available on Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK.

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