The Netflix limited series Death by Lightning is a historical drama created by Mike Makowsky, directed by Matt Ross, and executive produced by David Benioff and D. B. Weiss. It stars Michael Shannon as President James A. Garfield, Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Guiteau, Betty Gilpin, Nick Offerman, and others.
The series is based on the non-fiction book Destiny of the Republic by Candice Millard and dramatizes the life and assassination of President Garfield.
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When and Where Was Death by Lightning Filmed?
| Film Name | Death by Lightning |
|---|---|
| Genres | Historical Drama |
| Filming Locations | Hungary (Budapest) |
| Filming Dates | July 1, 2024 – October 2024 |
| Cinematography by | Adriano Goldman |
| Release Date | November 6, 2025 (Netflix) |
According to the Budapest Reporter, Filming began on July 1, 2024, in Budapest, Hungary and production wrapped in October 2024 in Hungary, but several establishing shots and exterior scenes were filmed in Washington, District of Columbia, USA — the actual setting for President Garfield’s presidency and assassination.
The series crew used Budapest and its surroundings to stand in for various 19th-century American locations, including governmental buildings, period streets, interiors, etc.
📍Hungary – Budapest & Studios
The primary and perhaps only confirmed filming location is Budapest, Hungary.
Budapest is frequently used in international productions because its architecture and built environments can convincingly substitute for older American or European cities.
The production reportedly built sets such as White House interiors and other political-era environments on controlled studio lots in Hungary.
No other public filming locales (in the U.S. or elsewhere) are confirmed so far; sources list Hungary (Budapest) as the main location.
đź“ŤWashington, District of Columbia, USA
Some key exterior and establishing scenes were shot in Washington, D.C., where the real events took place.
Filming included areas near the White House, where important sequences depicting political rallies and city scenes were captured. These real-life backdrops helped lend authenticity and connection to Garfield’s era and the true story.
đź“ŤNew York City, New York, USA
Apart From the locations mentioned above In a few scenes, viewers can also spot New York City locations in the background. Some sequences feature the city’s historic architecture, including glimpses of Madison Square Garden and Union Square, which appear subtly in exterior shots. These locations help establish the era’s East Coast atmosphere and showcase New York’s iconic 19th-century structures.
Behind the Scenes of Death by Lightning
To make your search for Netflix’s Death by Lightning filming even more interesting and enjoyable, we shared a behind-the-scenes photo here.
The show stars and fans also shared some behind-the-scenes glimpses on their social media account, Instagram:-
Because Death by Lightning is a period piece set in the 1880s, filming in Budapest offered both affordable production incentives and architecture that could be adapted to look historic.
The production involved building detailed sets to recreate interiors of the White House, rooms of political importance, and other historically relevant spaces.
Filming over about 4 months—July to October—gave them time to shoot both exteriors and complicated internal scenes.
Is there any trailer available for Death by Lightning?
On 9th October, Netflix’s Official YouTube Channel shared a Trailer for Death by Lightning, which you can see here:-
The series is slated to premiere on November 6, 2025, on Netflix.
FAQs
Q1: Where was Death by Lightning filmed?
A1: The show was filmed in Budapest, Hungary.
Q2: Why did the production choose Hungary for Death by Lightning filming?
A2: Hungary, and Budapest in particular, offer rich historic architecture, flexible studio infrastructure, cost advantages, and filming incentives that make it ideal for creating period settings.
Q3: When was Death by Lightning filming done?
A3: Filming started on July 1, 2024, and wrapped in October 2024.
Q4: Were any scenes shot in real Washington landmarks?
A4: Yes, some establishing and exterior shots were filmed in The White House, capturing the atmosphere of the nation’s capital.
Q5: When will Death by Lightning release on Netflix?
A5: It will premiere on November 6, 2025, exclusively on Netflix.