Designated Survivor has not survived, sadly. Today, it was revealed that ABC has cancelled the TV show after two seasons. *Update below.
The political drama centers on Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland), a low-level cabinet member who becomes President of the United States after a massive attacked on the capitol. The cast also includes Natascha McElhone, Adan Canto, LaMonica Garrett, Kal Penn, Maggie Q, Malik Yoba, Paulo Costanzo, Zoe McLellan, Ben Lawson, Tanner Buchanan, and Mckenna Grace.
Designated Survivor: A Look at the Ratings
Designated Survivor debuted strong in 2016, but the ratings have waned in its sophomore year. So far, season two is averaged a 0.71 rating in the 18-49 demo and 3.95 million viewers, making it one of ABC‘s lower-rated TV shows for the 2017-2018 season in the demo.
The show could easily have been cancelled but the network renewed it, likely hoping that the ratings would rise in year two. They went in the opposite direction. In the demo, the ratings dropped 43% year-to-year and 32% in viewers.
The May 16th episode will now serve as the defacto series finale.
What do you think? Are you a fan of Designated Survivor? Are you sad to see the series go? Would you have watched season three?
9/5/18 update: Designated Survivor was cancelled by ABC but Netflix later ordered season three.
I was a fan of Designated Survivor until the season 2 finale. First, we’re supposed to believe Hannah Wells is going to take in this british kid right after she meets her, just like that? But that pales in comparison to the shark-jumping move of turning Emily into a double agent. Riigghhttt….. Like I said, I loved this show but the very odd direction it took in the season finale could have been a clue as to what happened behind the scenes to lead to its demise. In my opinion, things started declining when Natasha McElhone left the show. In… Read more »
Well, it’s the daughter of someone for whom Hannah had very strong feelings and she is very loyal and protective so I don’t think that’s a problem for her character at all. And we don’t yet know why Emily was seen handing over the envelope or what was in it. I have no doubt that Emily is not a double agent but there is another explanation which we have to watch series 3 to find out. Please bring it back!!
We are very sad that this show is going off the air. I think it’s a great show.
I love this show and watched it diligently! Bad move, ABC! Please bring it back.
I definitely would’ve watched the third season and have enjoyed the show very much I always look forward to the show and will be sorry to see it gone
HAVE BEEN WATCHING ON NETFLIX SO COME ON MAKE MORE SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO WATCH
All I gotta say is, that’s ****** up! I’m 44… In the demographic they mentioned… I dug the hell outta this show… Only discovered this news cuz I was googling when season 3 was gonna start cuz I’ve been anxiously waiting… I was getting tired of getting on Hulu and seeing that a new episode hadn’t been put up yet… Bad move, ABC…
So disappointed this show is cancelled. Was an exciting and interesting program. Would definitely watch a season 3!!!
Very disappointing one of my favorite shows! Never will understand how abc is always canceling good shows and leaving garbage on.
Nowadays people prefer garbage.
I am not sad I am MAD. This is one of the best shows around. I looked forward to watching every Wednesday night, There is so much rubbish on TV, I don’t understand the Network people and why shows like this are cancelled. I guess I will be increasing my Netflix viewing. Bad move, bad, bad, bad.
Really, that was one of the best show on these days. Why don’t you take off some of those stupid reality shows and leave Designated Survivor alone. Hey, may Netflix will pick it up. Bad move ABC. Won’t watch you again.
I believe designated Survivor should have another season it was a good show you people keep canceling TV shows that people like get rid of reality TV and put back all the shows that you canceled that we’re good shows
Why cancel a show that was intelligent and well made along with a great cast – Keifer Sutherland always the best! Sooooo disappointed!!
One of our favorite shows for a long time. We cancelled other things so we could watch it on a Wednesday night. Really sad because TV has so many garbage shows, not a lot for us to watch any more and many of our friends say the same thing.
One of my favorite family shows. I think that the cast is excellent and Keifer Sutherland is perfect as President Kirkman. Please can we do something to keep it on.
Is there anyway to help get this show back??? One of the best shows on TV – who do we lobby to get it picked up ??? VERY disappointed