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?
Great Show! Shouldn’t have been cancelled
One of the few television shows both my wife and I enjoy and watch together. Rethink this decision ABC.
ABC, WHAT ARE YOU THINKING? Oh, I guess you aren’t, since you’re cancelling one of the best shows on your ABC. If they have any sense, one of the other stations will pick it up.
How frustrating! A show everybody in the family can watch is once again cancelled! SHAME on ABC!!! (but gee, not much of a surprise, most of the shows that have good writing, good acting and good plots – all seem to be dropped in order to keep the dumbed down shows on the tube for the sheep.) I hope another network picks up the Designated Survivor soon – what a terrible way to leave the fans hanging! Three cliff hangars.
Designated Survivor was a well acted show with great plots. I am sad and hope someone will pick it up. ABC… bad call!!!
This was one of the best shows on TV. The acting superb … excellent storylines. I do hope another network will pick this up. Please save this show!
Not fair to followers of the show for a decent ending. Can another
network please help for a renewal?????
I really think this show needs to continue esp in our political atmosphere
SAD!!!
This show is/was a good one!
Kiefer Sutherland, Maggie Q and Kal Penn are my favorite actors in this series.
I appreciate a show which does more than entertain – one which makes one feel and think.
Wish ABC would reconsider…
I love this show! There are so many programs that are nothing but trash TV. All we need to do to substantiate the lack of morals in ou youth is to watch the majority of TV shows that ar on. These are the shows that ar never canceled. It is refreshing to watch a show like Designated Survivor.
My husband and I are extremely disappointed that this show has been cancelled. We feel it is one of the best shows on TV. Every time we find something on ABC we really enjoy, it seems the show gets cancelled. I was shocked to find out that ABC would have such a suspenseful finale and then cancel the show. I believe the fans of this show should at least have a few episodes to resolve the outstanding issues or better yet, the show should be renewed for another season.
Every time my husband and I find a show we really enjoy it is canceled. That really sucks. This shows was really getting interesting too.
My family and I really loved this show. Don’t understand why it would be cancelled.
My wife and I thoroughly enjoyed this show. There is so much trash on TV.
We want this show back!!! Please don’t replace it with something like Snoop Dog!!!
We love this show! It’s a show I can watch with any age person and there is no vulgarity or nudity. It has high morals and is a clean show. Please keep this show! I can’t stand to watch most of the show on now because of the sexual issues. Thanks!