Laura Marcus Shines in Netflix’s New Series Death By Lightning
Rising star Laura Marcus portrays the "smart as steel, very saucy" daughter of US President Garfield in the four-episode Netflix political period thriller Death By Lightning. The show is a stranger-than-fiction retelling of late 19th-century American political unrest and division.
About the Series
Created by Mike Makowsky and directed by Matt Ross (Captain Fantastic), the limited series features Michael Shannon, Matthew Macfadyen, Betty Gilpin, and Nick Offerman. Produced by David Benioff and DB Weiss (Game of Thrones), it dramatizes the assassination of James A. Garfield, the 20th US president, who was killed after serving just months in 1881.
Laura Marcus on Her Role
"There was something eerie about how much the present day seemed to echo the story we were filming."
Marcus plays Mollie Garfield, the president’s daughter, bringing depth to a supporting role that highlights her growing screen presence.
Past and Future Projects
- Known for BBC’s Bad Education and Warner Bros’ The Great Escaper (with Michael Caine and Glenda Jackson).
- Upcoming role in the 2026 film Sunrise on the Reaping, part of the Hunger Games franchise.
Summary: Laura Marcus delivers a standout performance in Netflix’s historical thriller Death By Lightning, reinforcing her status as a rising talent with compelling depth.