Death by Lightning's Roscoe Conkling and where you've seen Netflix star before

Death by Lightning is poised to be Netflix's next big hit, with the period drama already earning glowing reviews from fans and critics alike. The limited series, which is based on the shocking real-life assassination of reluctant US President James Garfield, already has an 88% fresh score on Rotten Tomatoes.

The logline for Death by Lightning simply reads: "The story of James Garfield, who rose from obscurity to become America's 20th President - and Charles Guiteau, the man who assassinated him."

The Netflix historical drama stars Michael Shannon as James Garfield and Matthew Macfadyen as Charles Guiteau.

Rounding out the cast are Betty Gilpin as First Lady Crete Garfield, Nick Offerman as Vice President Chester Arthur, Bradley Whitford as Senator James Blaine, Paula Malcomson as Franny Scoville and Tuppence Middleton as Kate Chase Sprague.

However, fans are also intrigued to know about the real-life Senator Roscoe Conkling, who plays an important role in the stranger-than-fiction story, and the actor who plays him.

Born in 1829, Roscoe Conkling was a prominent Republican leader in the USA's post-Civil War period, according to Britannica.

The former US Senator, who was an established lawyer and orator, was known for his insistence on the control of political patronage in his home state of New York.

He was also in favour of severe Reconstruction measures toward the South following the Civil War, supporting attempts to redress the inequities of slavery in America.

Conkling advocated for broader rights for freedmen, as well as tightening military supervision of the defeated Confederate states.

Between 1869 and 1877, Conkling influenced the administration of President Ulysses S. Grant's policy toward the South.

In 1880, Conkling went so far as to head up a faction that supported a controversial third term for former President Grant.

While at this point it was not part of the US constitution, it had been a long-standing tradition that presidents should not serve more than two terms.

The convention was divided as a result of this movement, and James A. Garfield was nominated and elected as a compromise candidate.

In May 1881, Conkling resigned from office following a dispute with President Garfield over the patronage issue.

One year later, he declined a nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court in 1882 and continued to practice law in New York City until his death in 1888.

Senator Roscoe Conkling is portrayed by actor Shea Whigham in Netflix's Death by Lightning.

Whigham previously co-starred beside Betty Gilpin in Netflix's American Primeval and has also starred in TV shows like Perry Mason, Gaslit, Homecoming, True Detective, Waco, Fargo and Agent Carter.

Boardwalk Empire fans are also sure to recognise the actor for playing Elias 'Eli' Thompson in over 50 episodes of the show between 2010 and 2014.

Meanwhile, Whigham's film credits include American Hustle, F1: The Movie, Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse, Joker, Vice and the Mission Impossible franchise.

Death by Lightning is available to stream now on Netflix.