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Netflix’s Death by Lightning has received four Emmy nominations, including recognition for writing, cinematography and picture editing in the limited or anthology series categories. Nick Offerman was also nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor for his portrayal of Chester A. Arthur.
The four-part series recounts the rise and assassination of James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States. Michael Shannon plays Garfield, while Matthew Macfadyen portrays Charles Guiteau, an obsessive supporter who assassinated the president in 1881 after failing to secure a position in his administration.
The cast also includes Betty Gilpin, Bradley Whitford, Shea Whigham and Offerman, whose character became president following Garfield’s death.
Budapest Becomes 19th-Century America
Although the story is set entirely in the United States, Death by Lightning was filmed in Budapest and the surrounding region.
Hungarian production services were provided by Pioneer Stillking, which announced the series’ four Emmy nominations on July 13. Production in Hungary wrapped in autumn 2024.
Budapest locations and purpose-built sets were used to represent Washington, DC, and other American cities of the 1880s. One of the production design team’s most ambitious tasks was the construction of the period White House, a process that took more than 15 weeks.
The filmmakers aimed to create more than a collection of grand historical interiors. The sets also had to communicate the political instability of the period and the contrast between the monumental appearance of government institutions and the personalities operating within them.
Many of the series’ visual effects were designed to remain virtually invisible. Rather than creating conspicuous fantasy imagery, the VFX teams combined Hungarian locations, physical sets and digital environments to produce a convincing representation of the United States during the late 19th century. (Netflix Tudum)
Stationary Trains Travel Across America
One of the production’s most technically complex sequences was filmed at a railway heritage site in Budapest.
The crew used several historic railway carriages, which had to appear as though they were travelling through the American landscape. Because of the trains’ reflective windows and highly detailed interiors, a conventional green-screen setup would have created considerable complications.
Instead, the production installed two large LED walls on opposite sides of the carriages. Real-time American landscapes created in Unreal Engine were displayed on the screens, producing natural reflections and interactive light on the windows, sets and performers.
One LED wall measured approximately 18.5 metres in length and the other 24.5 metres, with both reaching six metres in height.
The historic building presented additional engineering challenges. Its uneven floor and roof structure could not support a suspended LED system, requiring the technical team to construct a custom ground-supported framework.
The virtual train journey was ultimately completed in a single shooting day, ahead of the planned schedule.
Nick Offerman Secures the Acting Nomination
Of the show’s prominent cast members, it was Nick Offerman—rather than Michael Shannon or Matthew Macfadyen—who received an acting nomination.
The Parks and Recreation and The Last of Us star portrays Vice President Chester A. Arthur, who unexpectedly assumed the presidency following Garfield’s death.
Adriano Goldman was nominated for cinematography for the episode Destiny of the Republic. His previous credits include The Crown, Andor and Sin Nombre.
The episode The Man from Ohio earned a nomination for its six-person editing team, while series creator Mike Makowsky was recognised in the writing category. (Television Academy)
The nominations are also significant for Hungary’s production sector, as the entire visual world of the series was created within the country’s filmmaking infrastructure.
Death by Lightning demonstrates that Budapest’s appeal extends well beyond its familiar role as a stand-in for European capitals. Through a combination of location work, set construction, experienced local crews and virtual production technology, major settings from American history can also be convincingly recreated in Hungary.
The 78th Emmy Awards ceremony will take place in Los Angeles on September 14, with Mariska Hargitay serving as host. Awards in the creative and technical categories will be presented on September 5 and 6. (Television Academy)
