Michael Shannon Stuns in Netflix’s ‘Death by Lightning’—Inside the True Story

Lead paragraph Michael Shannon is having a milestone 2025, pivoting from revered character actor to headline-grabbing leading man thanks to Netflix’s newly released limited series “Death by Lightning” and the upcoming courtroom epic “Nuremberg.” The two projects—one set in Gilded Age America, the other in post-war Germany—underscore why the Oscar-nominated performer remains a magnet for fans, awards voters and search engines alike. A presidential performance that resonates today In “Death by Lightning,” Shannon disappears into the role of President James A. Garfield, charting the reform-minded leader’s six-month administration and tragic assassination. Shannon told NPR that Garfield’s clashes with entrenched special interests mirror today’s political gridlock, a parallel he hopes will spark conversation among modern viewers. Early audience data from Netflix’s public Top 10 portal shows the series debuting at No. 3 globally in its first weekend—strong momentum heading into awards season. Re-examining history in “Nuremberg” Shannon’s second high-profile turn this winter is Robert H. Jackson, the chief U.S. prosecutor at the 1945–46 Nuremberg Trials, in director James Vanderbilt’s star-studded film. Speaking to The Guardian, the actor described the moral weight of portraying a lawyer who had to look Nazi leaders “directly in the eye” while representing global justice. With Rami Malek as Hermann Göring and Russell Crowe as Winston Churchill, the movie is already tipped for major festival premieres and Oscar buzz. Another reunion with Jeff Nichols While awards chatter swirls, Shannon has quietly signed on to frequent collaborator Jeff Nichols’ next film, an as-yet-untitled Southern drama co-starring Margaret Qualley and Drew Starkey. The project marks the pair’s sixth collaboration, following critical favorites “Take Shelter” and “Mud,” and cements the Illinois native’s reputation for elevating grounded, auteur-driven stories. Why Michael Shannon is trending right now 1. Dual releases: “Death by Lightning” is streaming worldwide, while “Nuremberg” campaigns on the festival circuit. 2. Viral interviews: Clips of Shannon dissecting 19th-century politics and method acting have racked up millions of views on TikTok and YouTube. 3. Search-friendly keywords: Fans are googling “Michael Shannon Netflix,” “Michael Shannon Nuremberg,” and “Michael Shannon Garfield series” in record numbers. Critical acclaim meets pop-culture appeal Rotten Tomatoes lists “Death by Lightning” at 92 % fresh, with many critics highlighting Shannon’s “magnetic intensity.” Social-media sentiment analysis from ListenFirst ranks him among the week’s top-three most-discussed actors, edging out perennial trendsetters like Timothée Chalamet. What’s next • Emmy push: Netflix is expected to mount a robust FYC campaign for Shannon in the Limited Series category. • Wide theatrical rollout: “Nuremberg” secures a January 10 U.S. release, positioning Shannon for potential Best Actor contention. • Nichols shoot: Principal photography on the untitled project begins in Arkansas early spring, ensuring Shannon stays in the news well into 2026. Closing thought Whether resurrecting a forgotten president, confronting Nazi war criminals or diving back into Southern Gothic terrain, Michael Shannon proves that uncompromising craft can still ignite mainstream excitement. Expect the Google search spotlight to remain firmly fixed on him as awards ballots and new trailers drop in the months ahead.