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?
about the time I find a show I like they cancel….
you should never have cancelled this! You leave the crap shows and cancel the ones worth watching!
RENEWED!!!!!
Awwww come on!!!! This was a great show…i definitely wish for a season 3!!!
OMG SERIOUSLY??? Another one??? One of the best shows on TV today. It is EXTREMELY sad that good entertainment such as this has to go but bring on more STUPID reality TV of untalented idiots or STUPID so called comedy. Concerns me as to where we are headed as a society.
I can’t believe your not renewing Designated Survivor. I looked forward to every Wednesday night to see what followed the last show. It was very exciting.
I wish a third season of Designated Survivor would come on. I really liked the show and am disappointed that it was cancelled…
I was really hoping Designated Survivor would be back for a 3rd season. I don’t understand when I had heard it got good ratings. I am very sad…
I cannot believe you have cancelled this amazing show! As far as my husband and I are concerned, the best show on T.V. right now. Ratings couldn’t possibly have been that bad, as everyone we talk to loved it!
You have got to be kidding! Please bring this great show back! Some other station should pick it up!
abc should have cancelled the other crap they have than designated survior
I’m so upset that they cancelled this show. It was so powerful, and well written. I loved this show. Plus it really made you think, and showed how important politics are!
One of, if not the best shows on TV and it gets cancelled?! Unbelievable!!!
Very disappointed this isn’t returning especially with the way they ended the season. Boo!!! This is why I hate watching shows that doesn’t end after each episodes. We enjoyed this one. once again BOO!
Designated survivor is one of those programs which make you think.
Cannot believe this was cancelled. Had me gripped from the first episode and very disappointed with the final one as it has no purpose now, we will never know what happens. Surely just one more season could have ended all the bits and pieces we have been left to chew over and wonder. Not happy.
AGREE!