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’m thrilled to know Designated Survivor is coming back – it was my favorite show! Hope Netflix makes its premier loud and clear.
This is a great show, it definitely needs to be saved. Love it!!!
Now that 2019 is here, any news on when Netflix will air their new Survivor shows? I know a lot of people are anxiously awaiting this. One of the best shows to ever come to TV!
I will never understand why when you have the top rated show that you would take I off the air. Everyone of my friends watched every week. Please bring back a winner.
Absolutely love this show. I definitely hope it continues to air!!! I have recommended it to many people.
Really like this show..glad to hear it’s coming back!!!
renew the show already
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE reconsider bringing it back with all the same actors. It is thrilling and funny, well written with outstanding actors. I am so upset that this decision was made to take it off. So disappointed and really wish you will reconsider because it is one of only a few shows that I truly enjoy and looked forward to watching. Gosh, it would be great if you’d reconsider.
On Net flicks, will those only be re-runs? Not good enough, I want more.
The show “Designated Survivor” is a show who’s time has come and will run for many years. You have a winner here and should not be shelved. Stick with the writing of new episodes & continue to air them, even if you have to telecast them on a specialty channel or maybe even the political channels (both American and Canadian). Don’t let your president of the United States intimidate you in any way. Stand up to the old windbag, he’s just full of hot air and a bully that likes to intimidate the world. If this is why your show… Read more »
One of the best shows on tv. I’m so disappointed that it’s not renewed
YAY, Netflix – thank you, thank you, thank you!!!
Designated survivor should be renewed.
I would have watched many more episodes. An excellent program.
Love love love this show!Seems like everytime something worth watching is on tv hey cancel it. Drives me nuts! There is so much worthless crap remaining on tv and I️ don’t understand how it makes it. I’m guessing it’s part of “dumbing” down the American people, after all the Simpsons and Family Guy still remain on tv and I’ll never understand why!
I don’t think that ABC will reverse its decision but I am hoping that another network will be smart enough to pick up Designated Survivor. Hopefully they have someone reading all the comments from folks like us.