Where was Death by Lightning shot? Revisiting key filming locations of the Netflix series

Death by Lightning is a new mini-series on Netflix and we know that it has all of you history buffs completely hooked. However, the biggest wow factor isn’t even in the plot but rather it’s the filming location. And yes, the answer is absolutely nothing like what you expect.

So, where was Death by Lightning filmed? The entire mini-series was filmed in Budapest, Hungary, and not in the US. A historical American show not being filmed in the U.S? Well, this is one twist alone that makes people curious about the show, and honestly, it just adds to the whole mysteriousness around it.

Filming location for the Netflix mini-series: Budapest steals the spotlight more than you would think

If you have been watching Death by Lightning and wondering how the team recreated 1881 America so perfectly, then it is safe to say that you are not alone. The show may be all about US history, but the cameras were rolling miles away in Budapest.

Filming started on July 1, 2024, and wrapped in October, which feels super wild because the whole series looks so American that you’d never guess it was shot in Europe. Budapest has become a total hotspot for big projects, and Death by Lightning just joins the long list of productions that fell in love with the city.

The choice might feel random at first, but Hungary is known for offering really appealing tax rebates for productions. It is like giving filmmakers a little nudge to set up shop there. And with massive hits like Dune and The Witcher already picking Budapest as their filming location, it kind of makes sense that Death by Lightning followed the same path.

The city can easily double for older American architecture, especially when the team dresses it up with the right props and lighting. Along with this, the cast definitely brought extra charm to these streets, too. Michael Shannon steps into the role of President James A Garfield, while Matthew Macfadyen plays Charles Guiteau, the man who admired him and later became his assassin.

And then you have Nick Offerman, Betty Gilpin, Bradley Whitford, and Shea Whigham popping up, which makes the setting feel even more alive. Budapest basically turns into this giant stage where all these characters from the past meet again.

What is Death by Lightning about?

The reason Death by Lightning feels so authentically interesting is that it plays with the weird parts of history and these human moments that feel strangely familiar and known even today. The show is based on Candice Millard’s bestselling book Destiny of the Republic, which looks at the true story of Garfield’s short presidency and the way Guiteau fixated on him.

Watching the show, you can tell the team didn’t want to just recreate events; they wanted to make the era feel close enough that you almost forget it is from 1881. Even though the whole thing was filmed in Budapest, the production design makes it feel like America was rebuilt from the ground up.

Creator Mike Makowsky talked about how he still can’t believe the story is real, and you can feel that energy in the way the show moves. Every scene feels touched with urgency, especially around the political chaos Garfield had to deal with. You see how corruption, reform, and public pressure were shaping everything around him, which is honestly a theme that still pops up today.

The show also gives an equal amount of weight to Guiteau. The storytelling flips between both men, almost like two tracks running toward one tragic ending. The way the cast performs these roles makes it super emotional without ever feeling heavy-handed. And knowing that all of this came alive inside Budapest’s old streets almost feels like some kind of time-travel magic.

Death by Lightning may be rooted in American history, but its heart beats in Budapest. The decision to film in Hungary shapes the entire mood of the show in a surprisingly cool way.

It lets the story feel old yet fresh at the same time. And revisiting these filming spots helps you appreciate how much work went into bringing this true story back to life. The location choice wasn’t obvious, but it definitely paid off.

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Also Read: How accurate is Death by Lightning? Exploring facts vs fiction in the latest Netflix drama

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