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Designated Survivor

2016 – 2018 · 45m per ep · TV-14 · English · United States of America

Tom Kirkman, a low-level cabinet member is suddenly appointed President of the United States after a catastrophic attack during the State of the Union kills everyone above him in the Presidential line of succession.

7.2(474 reviews)

31.6278% popularity

At a glance

Details

First air date: Sep 21, 2016
Last air date: Jun 7, 2019
Status: Ended
Seasons: 3
Episodes: 53
Episode runtime: 45m
Original language: English
Country: United States of America
Network / platform: ABC
Creator / showrunner: David Guggenheim
Certification: TV-14
Production companies: Genre Films, ABC Studios, Entertainment 360

Where to watch

Streaming availability has not been added yet.

Keywords

usa presidentaffectationpoliticspresidentconspiracyterrorismbitingmourningquestioningmeditativemysterioususa politicsthoughtfulsomberphilosophicalunassumingreflectivecomplexlovingpoliticalintrospectiveirreverentinspirationalgrandintimateprovocativedirectdramaticsuspensefulcriticalthrillertensesentimentalexcitingintenseadoringappreciativeboldcomfortingcommandingcompassionatedefiantdignifiedearnestempathetichopefulinformativemodestoptimisticpowerfulsinceretragicvibrant

Seasons & episodes

Season 1

2016 · 21 episodes

Abruptly elevated to the presidency after a calamitous attack, Cabinet secretary Tom Kirkman must lead the nation through an ever-deepening crisis.

0 of 21 watched0%

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Cast

Kiefer Sutherland

Tom Kirkman

Maggie Q

Hannah Wells

Kal Penn

Seth Wright

Adan Canto

Aaron Shore

Italia Ricci

Emily Rhodes

Emiliano Díez

Président Ortega

Media

Reviews & ratings

7.2

474 community reviews

AR
Alex Rivera6.2/103/18/2026
Binge-worthy
Every episode leaves you wanting more. The character arcs are exceptional.
52 found helpful
JK
Jordan Kim7.199999999999999/103/14/2026
Peak television
One of the best shows in its genre — tightly written and beautifully acted.
44 found helpful
SP
Sam Patel8.2/103/10/2026
Must-watch series
The season finales alone are worth the watch.
36 found helpful
ML
Morgan Lee6.2/103/6/2026
Brilliant writing
Gripping from the first scene. Already recommending to everyone.
28 found helpful
CW
Casey Wong7.199999999999999/103/2/2026
Slow burn payoff
Takes a few episodes to hit stride, then it's unstoppable.
20 found helpful