Michael Shannon Reveals Untold Stories & Teases New Role in Explosive ‘Late Show’ Interview

Michael Shannon is back in the cultural spotlight thanks to his riveting turn as President James A. Garfield in Netflix’s new limited series “Death by Lightning.” Early reviews praise the two-time Oscar nominee for capturing Garfield’s mix of intellectual curiosity and frontier toughness, anchoring a show that also features Matthew Macfadyen as assassin Charles Guiteau. The eight-episode drama, which premiered Thanksgiving week, immediately cracked Netflix’s global Top 10, sparking renewed interest in one of America’s most overlooked presidents. Shannon told Fresh Air that he was drawn to Garfield’s progressive agenda and tragic fate, noting eerie parallels between 1880s political polarization and today’s climate. Critics agree: The New York Times hails “Death by Lightning” as “a political thriller with the soul of a character study,” singling out Shannon’s “volcanic restraint” opposite Macfadyen’s flamboyant Guiteau. The buzz extends beyond streaming queues. On December 3 the actor sat down with Stephen Colbert, revealing that he binge-read 19th-century biographies to prepare for the role and still carries Garfield’s inaugural address in his coat pocket for luck. Social media clips of the interview racked up millions of views overnight, pushing “Michael Shannon Garfield” into trending territory on X and TikTok. Industry watchers say momentum is perfectly timed for Shannon’s next project. Deadline reports he will reunite with longtime collaborator Jeff Nichols for A24’s crime saga “King Snake,” co-starring Margaret Qualley and Drew Starkey, which begins filming in January 2026. Combined with awards chatter swirling around “Death by Lightning,” the role could earn Shannon his first Emmy nod and position him as a frontrunner for future prestige projects. Why it matters: Shannon’s surge highlights growing audience appetite for historically grounded storytelling that resonates with contemporary issues. With “Death by Lightning” dominating holiday streaming conversations and “King Snake” on the horizon, Michael Shannon is poised to turn a breakout moment into a sustained star turn—making him one of 2025’s most Googled actors and a name every entertainment watcher should keep on their radar.