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?
So many shows being cancelled!! Sorry to see this one go.
This is one of the best shows I have watched in a long time. Haven’t missed an episode. Sutherland and the cast are great and it would really be a shame to see it cancelled.
Please reconsider cancelling this series, it’s a great show!
We enjoy this show a lot! Sure hope it stays on!
Very sad to see this show go. Love it, one of the best. Please bring it back.
It is a great show. Why cancel this and leave some losers? Please reconsider
please don’t cancel the show!!!!
it is one of the finest political drama series to be made.
Please do renew it for more seasons
Please do not cancelled Designated Survivor. This is one of the very best shows currently on Tv period
Very disappointed this show was cancelled. Looked forward every week to DS., actually was the show we most looked forward to.
Please bring back Designated Survivor! One of the very best shows out there!
I am very sad to hear my favorite show on TV is cancelled. It is action packed, absorbing and thought provoking. It depicts Washington as it is now, a swamp. I have to say, I don’t think I will be checking in on ABC for some time.
I LOVE THE SHOW… Look forward to the Wednesday night program. Will it continues on Nexflix? I hope another network get it. ABC is losing me.
Enjoyed this show tremendously, sorry to see it go.
To bad the best drama on tv so many reality shows are taking over a good drama is enjoyable
Oh please say it isn’t so, I love this show. Hope another network picks it up. There is so much simple shows on these days, I enjoy a drama like this.