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 loved the show and wish it wasn’t cancelled.
Great show should not be Cancelled
It should not have been cancelled…really good show
I love this show. This is a really good show and it should NOT be cancelled. Please pay heed to the consensus of fans.
I’m shocked it was canceled!! Loved this show! Everyone I know who watched it loved it. We got so attached to the characters.
This show has such a human perspective!
I’m very very unhappy that it has been cancelled
Perhaps the sensitivity, fragility, insightfulness that underlies the strength of this President ( actor Keifer Sutherland ) is too much “good” for our current climate.
Very sorry
This was our favorite show on TV. Why did ABC choose to cancel is beyond comprehension. We have to many stupid comedy shows on. ABC did a stupid thing in canceling.
I totally agree, hopefully another network will see this and pick it up.
Here here, ABC doesn’t realize what a gem they have with this show. Let’s hope another station does and keeps it going!
This is one of my favorite shows and I am really mad that it was cancelled. There are too many syfi, reality, sitcoms out there where this show addressed political situations and how to deal with them. I am really angry at ABC for this.
are they NUTZ !!!! it is a great show and the highlight of what little i watch on TV
Excellent show! Well written! I hope that Netflicks picks up the series.
I was looking forward to season 3, such a good show, why cancel it? Why??
You gotta be kidding…One of the best shows and they cancelled it. Why???
Maybe we’ll get lucky and Netflix will pick it up.
Oh, and thanks for helping me make up my mind to get Netflicks!
Oh, and thanks for helping me to make up my mind to go to Netflicks!
There was so much to this show. ABC, you have made a big mistake.