Network: ABC, Netflix
Episodes: 53 (hour)
Seasons: Three
TV show dates: September 21, 2016 — June 7, 2019
Series status: Cancelled by ABC, Revived by Netflix, Cancelled by Netflix
Performers include: Kiefer Sutherland, Natascha McElhone, Adan Canto, Italia Ricci, LaMonica Garrett, Tanner Buchanan, Kal Penn, and Maggie Q.
TV show description:
This political thriller series follows what happens when an unlikely person becomes the leader of the free world.
Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) is a lower-level Cabinet member, the United States Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. He’s the “designated survivor” to the current administration, an individual in the presidential line of succession who is at a distant and secure location when the President and the country’s other top leaders are gathered at a single location.
On the night of the State of the Union address, an unprecedented attack claims the lives of the President and all other members of the Cabinet. Kirkman is immediately sworn in as President, unaware that the attack is just the beginning of what is to come.
He struggles to keep the country and his own family from falling apart — while navigating the highly-volatile political arena and leading the search to find who is responsible for the attack.
Seth Wright (Kal Penn) is Kirkman’s speechwriter and he has strong doubts about his boss’ abilities to lead the nation. FBI agent Hannah Wells (Maggie Q) investigates the attack and believes that there’s more to come from the perpetrators. She clashes with FBI Deputy Director Jason Atwood (Malik Yoba).
White House Deputy Chief of Staff Aaron Shore (Adan Canto) advises the new President following the attack.
A career military man, Admiral Chernow (Mykelti Williamson) is the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff who becomes one of the new President’s most trusted advisors. Emily Rhodes (Italia Ricci) is Kirkman’s former Chief of Staff and a close friend of his family.
Kirkman’s wife is EEOC attorney Alex Kirkman (Natascha McElhone) and their children are teenager Leo (Tanner Buchanan) and young daughter Penny (Mckenna Grace). Mike Ritter (LaMonica Garrett) is Kirkman’s Secret Service agent who’s charged with protecting the family following the attack.
Episode #53 — #truthorconsequences
On election day, Kirkman turns to his therapist to assuage his conscience about the events — and his own decisions — of the momentous prior 36 hours.
First aired: June 7, 2019.
What do you think? Do you like the Designated Survivor TV show? Do you think it should have been cancelled or renewed for a fourth season?
Designated Survivor, please come back to us. We will be sad without you. Please renew for fourth season.
Drear series that actually teaches children about real politics
I started to binge designated survivor last week. After season one I couldn’t believe it had been cancelled. however, midway through season 2 the show lost me. Actors motives aside, losing the First Lady was a bad move and the way it was handled was even worse. I love Maggie Q, but her character became mishandled as well. I couldn’t wait to finish season one and was highly anticipating season two, by the 17th episode of season 2 I had lost any motivation to continue. Having said all that, Kiefer Sutherland was excellent throughout.
I really loved the show from start to the end, if I am honest netflix season 3 spoilt the show somewhat, but please Abc or any other american tv channel pick this serious up and also make a season 4 of shooter really loved that show too. my top 3 series to watch are Queen of the south, shooter and this designated survivor.
Designated survivor cancelled because in series 3 Netflix they couldn’t find anymore “f” words to make a new script. A great series spoilt by a Netflix screen writer and not the
Just of the show. It took over from madam secretary with a west wing improvement.
Cancelled by f words only?
Bring it back pls awesome show
We thought that Designated Survivor was a real hit, however the last episode season three had a drop off ending when Isabel found out that she was pregnant. We can’t believe that the network is stopping the series, what a pity!!!
Would love to see this come back at least to wrap up story lines! Great show. Really bums me out!
I think you could have showed the remaining episodes on Tv. Or ended the series. I think it is wrong to just leave us hanging after watching every episode.
I really loved this series and was thrilled to see Netflix picked it up for Season Three. I was very pleased with this last season, but unfortunately, we shall never see what lied ahead for President Kirkman in his second term. I’m glad Netflix at least gave it another chance, and at least an ‘ending’ I could live with.
I hadn’t watched Designated Survivor until now 0n Netflix in January, 2020. For no other reason than to have been caregiving family members for the past MANY years, I am very saddened to learn that this WONDERFUL series has been cancelled…TWICE!
Fast-moving, engaging, fabulous writing and SUPERB ACTING, truly abound!!
I could only hope that this artistic endeavour
will be “picked-up” once again, at a future date.
A hearty “Bravo” to ALL Cast and Crew!!
Many, many thanks;
MARSHA HALL
Sun City West. AZ
(1/14/2020)
So sad, this was a really good show. I hope they bring it back.
“Hear, hear Millie!”
Couldn’t agree with you more!
How refreshing as well, that we never hear any foul language coming from ANYONE, all through the series’ dialogue!
Unless I’m going deaf, as well as too blind to read lips…which I doubt…it’s lovely to remember the days back when I was a youngster, and we had SO MANY thrilling, suspenseful TV shows and theatre movies to attend, with just a few mild, effectively-chosen STRONG words scattered in, for emphasis.
THIS great series: such A GREAT LOSS!!!
MARSHA HALL
Sun City West, AZ
1/14/2020