What is the controversy surrounding Netflix's 'Death by Lightning'?

The new historical drama has been accused of rewriting history to fit a 'woke' agenda, with viewers criticizing an establishing shot featuring a statistically improbable diverse cast in 1880s Chicago.

Who is Craig Richard Skistimas and what did he find?

Skistimas is a YouTuber who analyzed the demographics of Chicago in 1880 and determined that the diverse group of characters in the show's opening scene would have been virtually impossible to encounter at that time, with odds of about 1 in 2.4 million.

How does 'Death by Lightning' claim to be a 'true story'?

The show opens with a disclaimer stating that it is a 'true story about two men the world forgot', but Skistimas argues that Netflix's inclusion of a 'diverse' crowd is not artistic license, but rather a 'rewriting of history'.

Home / Arts and Entertainment / Netflix's 'Death by Lightning' Accused of Bending Facts for Diversity Quota

Netflix's 'Death by Lightning' Accused of Bending Facts for Diversity Quota

11 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Viewers criticize 'statistically impossible' diverse cast in 1880s Chicago
Influencer's analysis shows Netflix's 'tokenism' violates historical accuracy
Show claims to be a 'true story' but features '2024-style diverse' crowd

Netflix's 'Death by Lightning' Accused of Bending Facts for Diversity Quota

Netflix's new period drama 'Death by Lightning', which premiered on November 10, 2025, is earning rave reviews from critics. However, the show has also sparked outrage among viewers who claim the series rewrites history to fit a 'woke' agenda.

The four-part series, which follows the events leading up to the 1881 assassination of President James Garfield, begins with an establishing shot that immediately caught the attention of eagle-eyed viewers. The scene depicts an Asian woman, two Black men, a Black woman, and an amputee strolling the streets of Gilded Age-era Chicago.