Dave Davies

In the film Nuremberg, he plays the U.S.

Supreme Court justice who organized the International Tribunal to try Nazi leaders for war crimes after the Second World War, serving as lead prosecutor in the ensuing trial.

And in the new Netflix series Death by Lightning, he's President James Garfield, who fought against corrupt Washington politicians for civil service reform before being assassinated only four months in new office.

Michael Shannon earned Oscar nominations for his performances in the films Revolutionary Road and Nocturnal Animals.

He's also appeared in the films Take Shelter, Knives Out, The Shape of Water, and Man of Steel, among many others, and in the Showtime series George and Tammy.

He also formed an indie rock band and has collaborated with musician Jason Narduzzi in performing songs from several albums of the group R.E.N.

We'll talk about that.

Well, Michael Shannon, welcome back to Fresh Air.

It's been a while.

You know, you've had a lot of roles.

And as I said, in many of the better known ones, your characters are unhinged or villainous.

In these films, you play not just good guys, but, you know, real historical characters fighting battles to right wrongs, strengthen democracy.

Do you think this was intentional to cast you in these roles?

All right.

Well, you know, you play President James Garfield, as we mentioned, in Death by Lightning.

That's the Netflix series.

He was elected in 1880.

What drew you to this project?

Candice Millard.

Yeah, she's been on our show.