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 this Show! It’s one of the best shows on TV. PLEASE DO NOT Cancel
We loved this show. Do disappointed that it was not renewed. When the show was over it always made you feel you needed to see the next show.
I LOVE this show. The plots are ingenious and the twists thrilling. The characters are believable and the suspense is what keeps me coming back for more and more. It should NOT be cancelled, but maybe it will get picked up somewhere.
YOU CANT BE SERIOUS!!! ‘‘This is my favorite show. I am really disappointed with with you for letting such a good show go. With all the weird discusting shows that are on tv they take this one off!’ I just done get it. You really need to bring it back.
Stupid to cancel this show. They probably DoD so because it speaks to what really goes on in Washington
I think it stinks what abc has done. They need to bring
It back
Really upset you’re cancelling this show!
Cannot believe you’re cancelling this show!! I love it! Please don’t cancel it!
Great show. Bring them back or are you afraid it’s too real? Seriously!
it is really terrible that they are taking such a great show off the air. how can they do this to me. i anxiously wait for it to come on wednesday nights. love keifer sutherland as the president. he shows actual concern for the american people. our leaders could take toms lead. please, please dont take off the best show on t.v.
Always enjoyed this show. The writing is better than many shows . I’m disappointed that is was not renewed.
Does anyone know if the low ratings were caused by people watching on HULU and other online services? I sure hope not, because if that’s the case I am guilty! We never miss this show are always sad when they skip a week or two between episodes. This has happened to our favorite shows too many times to count now and it’s getting ridiculous! The quality writing shows with actual substance always get replaced with JUNK!!!
I am so disappointed. One of my favorite shows. Not very many good ones left. Shame on you ABC.
This was one of my favorite shows and I would skip other shows on my DVR list to always watch this one first. I am sorry to see it go and wish there would have been a way to save it. I can’t watch the shows when they air “live” and therefor I must DVR it. I wonder if they take DVR watching into ratings before they cancel shows.
This show should be renewed for another season. I am hoping another station will pick it up.
I’m sorry hear that Designated Survivor has been cancelled. This is one of the better shows on TV lately and should have been on for many seasons. It had good acting and a good storyline. I’m disappointed in ABC and some of their choices.