Designated Survivor

Name: Designated Survivor
Genre: Drama, Thriller, Action, Mystery, War & Politics
Rating: 7.1
Cast: Kiefer Sutherland, Maggie Q, Kal Penn

TV-PG

2016 60mDrama, Thriller,

7.471%53%7.1

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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.

Where to Watch Designated Survivor

3 Seasons

Season 1
Season 121 Episodes
Season 2
Season 222 Episodes
Season 3
Season 310 Episodes

Cast of Designated Survivor

Kiefer SutherlandTom Kirkman / Executive Producer
Maggie QHannah Wells
Kal PennSeth Wright
Adan CantoAaron Shore
Italia RicciEmily Rhodes
Natascha McElhoneAlex Kirkman
LaMonica GarrettMike Ritter
Jake EpsteinChuck Russink
Paulo CostanzoLyor Boone
Ben LawsonDamian Rennett
Malik YobaJason Atwood
Zoe McLellanKendra Daynes
Reed DiamondJohn Forstell
Mckenna GracePenny Kirkman
Virginia MadsenKimble Hookstraten
Tanner BuchananLeo Kirkman
Geoff PiersonCornelius Moss
Emiliano DíezPrésident Ortega
Ashley ZukermanPeter MacLeish
George TchortovCatalan
See all

Designated Survivor Ratings & Reviews

CallumDecember 27, 2025
⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Designated Survivor – Power thrust upon the unprepared. Designated Survivor works best when it leans into the sheer chaos of its premise. The first season is easily the strongest, driven by urgency, uncertainty, and the almost overwhelming task of rebuilding an entire government from ashes. It’s not just about uncovering who caused the catastrophe, but about figuring out how a country even functions afterward — who can be trusted, what systems still work, and how fragile order really is. That sense of scrambling survival is what makes the early episodes so compelling. Once the structure stabilises in later seasons, the stakes inevitably shift. The threats remain serious, but the raw tension softens as governance becomes established and the show settles into more familiar political-drama rhythms. It’s not worse — just different, and a little less electric. What truly grounds the series is Tom Kirkman himself. He isn’t a power-hungry politician or a career climber — he’s an ordinary man thrust into the most extraordinary role imaginable. Watching him and his family navigate a life they never wanted, planned for, or even considered gives the show its emotional backbone. The family dynamics matter here, and that humanity stops the presidency from feeling distant or mythic. Designated Survivor may lose some of its initial urgency as it goes on, but it remains thoughtful, engaging, and refreshingly human. At its best, it’s not about politics — it’s about responsibility, adaptability, and the weight of decisions no one should ever have to make alone. 🥃 Pairing: A neat bourbon — steady, reliable, and grounding, the kind of drink that suits late nights filled with impossible decisions and quiet reflection.

Watch Designated Survivor Videos

Featurette
FeaturetteBehind the Scenes
Kal Penn On The Show
Kal Penn On The ShowBehind the Scenes
Maggie Q On The Pilot
Maggie Q On The PilotBehind the Scenes
Adan Canto On The Show
Adan Canto On The ShowBehind the Scenes
Italia Ricci On The Show
Italia Ricci On The ShowBehind the Scenes
Kal Penn On His Character
Kal Penn On His CharacterBehind the Scenes
Maggie Q On Her Character
Maggie Q On Her CharacterBehind the Scenes
Adan Canto On His Character
Adan Canto On His CharacterBehind the Scenes
Virginia Madsen On The Show
Virginia Madsen On The ShowBehind the Scenes
Lamonica Garrett On The Show
Lamonica Garrett On The ShowBehind the Scenes
Italia Ricci On Her Character
Italia Ricci On Her CharacterBehind the Scenes
Kiefer Sutherland On The Show
Kiefer Sutherland On The ShowBehind the Scenes
Natascha Mcelhone On The Show
Natascha Mcelhone On The ShowBehind the Scenes
Virginia Madsen On Her Character
Virginia Madsen On Her CharacterBehind the Scenes
Lamonica Garrett On His Character
Lamonica Garrett On His CharacterBehind the Scenes
Kiefer Sutherland On His Character
Kiefer Sutherland On His CharacterBehind the Scenes
Maggie Q On Preparing For Her Role
Maggie Q On Preparing For Her RoleBehind the Scenes
Italia Ricci On The Appeal Of The Show
Italia Ricci On The Appeal Of The ShowBehind the Scenes
Adan Canto On The Timeliness Of The Show
Adan Canto On The Timeliness Of The ShowBehind the Scenes
Kal Penn On His Background In Government
Kal Penn On His Background In GovernmentBehind the Scenes