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 am very disappointed that this show was cancelled. It was one of my favorite shows. Every time I watched one I couldn’t hardly wait to see the next one. Very sad!
I wish you would reconsider canceling, we recorded and watched every episode. Would love to see another season
This was the ONLY show I watched on this channel. So, I guess you have lost a viewer as well as an excellent show.
Bring It Back! Great show!
This is a fantastic show. I love it!! PLEASE don’t cancel this show. This show is well written and Keifer Sutherland does an outstanding job as the President!!
Designated Survivor was well written, and definitely well acted. It is a sad day when a good clean show gets cancelled
please continue Designated Survivor. It was a wonderful show. Only show I watched on Wednesday night. I don’t care for the silly shows of who someone is going to pick to marry.
Designated Survivor was one of the best shows on TV, so disappointed. Most TV programs fall short anymore. The good ones go, and the bad stay, guess I’m watching movies this fall.
I am disappointed that Designated Survivor was cancelled, and would like to know why. It was the only show we watched on Wednesdays, and we found it riveting. I’d rather have Kirkman as President than the one in that office now, and Kiefer Sutherland was superb in that role.
What were the ratings? That low?
I rarely watch shows on the 3 prime cannels. This was a very refreshing difference. The plot was so involved that you almost had to watch it twice. There was no vulgarity which was soooo wonderful, yet certainly kept your interest. I think it is an extreme loss to their viewers.
Please do not cancel this excellent show about how government works. Keifer Sutherland shows so clearly how Tom Kirkman grows into his new role as President.
This is such an interesting program and Keifer Sutherland shows clearly how Tom Kirkman grows into the job of President. Please don’t cancel it !
I am very upset to learn of the cancellation of my favorite TV show, Designated Survivor. I certainly encourage the network to reconsider their decision to cancel the program.
I cannot believe this series has been cancelled! One of the best shows on television; riveting, drama, up to date politically, and each episode has been a nail-biter! Pleeeeze bring this show back…so many of my family and friends are disapointed !!!!!!!
I love this show. I can’t believe that it is being cancelled. I really hope that they reconsider giving it another season and provide us with a finale.