Why did Designated Survivor have to go? Recently, Variety speculated on the reasons why ABC cancelled the TV show after two seasons.
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.
According to Variety, there are several reasons why ABC decided to cancel Designated Survivor. For one, the drama was sinking in the ratings. So far, season is averaging a .71 in the 18-49 demo and only 3.951 million viewers.
Secondly, the show has gone through four showrunners in only two seasons. And, to cap things off, season three would have required Designated Survivor to move production from Toronto to Los Angeles, a costly move for a low-rated series.
What do you think? Have you seen Designated Survivor? Would you have watched a third season?
Loved this show, we looked forward to it each week. VERY disappointed that there is no season 3 . The characters were great.
I loved this show. From now on I will not watch new shows .. it was my favorite show of all.
This is one of the very few shows we watch on ABC TV. CBS is usually our choice.
We love Designated Survivor. It was one of the highlights of the week. There are so few quality shows on TV on any given day. This is a mistake to cancel this show. Why would the show have to change locations? Someone is not thinking straight.
I think this was a great show and am sorry to see it go. Also why would it have to be produced in the US after 2 years of filming in Toronto?
Please don’t cancel
Designated Survivor, favorite show on the air!! Love Sutherland
Please do not cancel this show! It was the best show on the air and very thought provoking. We looked forward to it every week and when I see some of the crap that is on TV it doesn’t make sense. I wish our President would have watched the show to see how a president is supposed to act!
Designated Survivor was a relevant interesting show you left a cliffhanger you can’t not bring it back! Please bring it back our whole family waits for it !!!
I enjoy seeing the program with its intrigue. Wish there had been a third season to at least wrap up loose ends. It will be missed. My wife and I always set that time slot open on Wednesday for that program!
Designated Survivor is an intriguing series, with intelligence and integrity being displayed in the main characters. Comparing it with some other shows on TV, it is in a league of its own. I am so disappointed it has been cancelled and can’t understand why.
I found Designated Survivor to be a well written and well acted series. I am very disappointed that this show was cancelled. There are too many shows currently on the networks that are silly and mainly directed to the younger audience. We need more intelligent and though provoking shows. There so few shows currently running that I find interesting and will watch.
This is one of the best shows on network TV (I am not in the age 18 – 49 demo group but am 76 – we older folks watch TV too! Please don’t cancel this show.
ABC just doesn’t want to keep programs going forward if not an immediate hit with young to middle age class. Last man standing had an audience of over 8m on a Friday might, very good numbers. Was DS just too truthful to real life politics?
I sincerely believe that the current political tragic situation put pressure on the network. For once, we understand that there might be honest, intelligent, and personable people who could fill the vast Congress with honest Congressmen and US Senators. I personally think that this network is doing a tremendous disfavor the American Public. Shame on ABC. Stupid cartoons dominate the airways as do those who sit in the Federal Government and of course ABC.
I’m totally bummed. I’m not really a Kiefer fan but I thought the show was well written with a believable cast. Hopefully Netflix will bring it to the next level.