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?
I love designated survivor. One of my favorite shows.
Can’t wait to see it each Wednesday!
Best show on ABC – love to see it at 9pm next season
Please do NOT cancel! This is the best TV program to hit the air for years. My family watches it every Wed night. We then get together for dinner on Thurs and discuss the show and what we feel might happen next. Designated Survivor has something for everybody. Suspense and political intrigue. Oh to have a President like President Kirkman. KEEP DESIGNATED SURVIVOR ON, If they do cancel it NETFLIX pick it up and you will have a jewel!
Excellent show, Sutherland does an amazing job, A decent show, and keeps getting better…has the potential to be another like NBC’s “West Wing”. Keep up the good work ABC. I’ve followed every episode…Will until…More, More!!
I love the show. How nice to see an albeit fictitious president who is a decent man, of good character and full of integrity. It’s been several months since the Whitehouse has enjoyed a president like that walking its corridors. The show allows me to pretend there is a worthy man at the top. It is also an engrossing drama. I hope it continues for many seasons.
I love this show! The characters are great, the acting is very good and overall, I like it a lot! One of my favorite shows! Please don’t cancel it- it is a show like no other on television..I am wondering what will happen next and who is the bad guy ( or gal?) I love Keifer Sutherland – always have – and he is so very talented..he can play any role and do it justice! He was great in “24” and he is awesome in “Designated Survivor!” Please renew the show! There are a lot of great actors in this… Read more »
Is it next Wednesday yet? And what am I to do till next fall (season 2?)
Awesome ahow, great plot and suspense is pretty cool! Keep it going, all actors portray their roles competently!
Your opinion holds no weight because of your made up “name.” You are the first person in 11 pages of comments to be a crude individual. You certainly have a right to your opinion but the “name” you hide behind is offensive. I am a conservative Republican and I enjoy the show without being insulted by its liberal bias. It’s entertainment, not a political statement.
I think it’s one of the best shows on TV and definitely my favorite. Great cast!!!
My husband and I LOVE Designated Survivor!!! It’s fast-paced and always has us guessing with all the twists and turns! PLEASE bring it back!!!!
Show started off well, but quickly devolved into another left-wing propaganda series. Too bad, it had potential….now it’s just more left wing nonsense.
I watched all 19 episodes in two days, back to back on Hulu without commercials. Sorry that my viewing has no impact on it’s ratings but I will tolerate the commercials the rest of the way if it will help insure a second season.
This show is incredible, amazing and awesome.