Designated Survivor: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 35 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 254 Ratings

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6.5

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6.5	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 254 Ratings

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Designated Survivor: Kiefer Sutherland On The Show

Now Playing: Designated Survivor: Kiefer Sutherland On The Show

Season Details & Credits

ABC | Netflix | Season Premiere Date: September 21, 2016

Starring: Kiefer Sutherland, Kal Penn, Natascha McElhone

Summary: Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland), the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is left as the Commander in Chief after an explosion during the State of the Union address kills the President and those in line of succession.

Genre(s): Drama, Suspense

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E21. Brace for Impact
Air Date: May 17, 2017
tbd
S1:E20. Bombshell
Air Date: May 10, 2017
tbd
S1:E19. Misalliance
Air Date: May 3, 2017

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Metascore

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Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

100

David Wiegand

Sep 19, 2016

As equal parts action and drama, and giving Kiefer Sutherland one of the best roles of his career, Designated Survivor is the season’s first sure thing. Make that “Designated” sure thing. Read full review

Robert Bianco

Sep 20, 2016

With a little humor to lighten the tension, some well-placed quiet moments to keep the show grounded and a fast pace that keeps any seams from showing, Designated arrives as the most satisfying opening hour of any new broadcast drama. Read full review

Jeff Jensen

Sep 19, 2016

Sutherland is incredibly appealing and credible in a change-of-pace role. The supporting players are well cast. Read full review

Hank Stuever

Sep 15, 2016

One episode into Designated Survivor may not convince these “24” fans that their beloved Kiefer Sutherland is now a deskbound, rookie POTUS. But once you’re over that hump, the show certainly makes a compelling case for its premise. Read full review

Ken Tucker

Sep 21, 2016

Wednesday night’s pilot is more of a palette-cleanser than a full meal: It sets up the situation without having the time to see how everything will be digested. Read full review

Robert Rorke

Sep 20, 2016

Designated Survivor does a decent job of mapping the confusion felt by Kirkman, his wife and various White House stock figures, but with “Madam Secretary” playing in the same faux political sandbox, the show feels a little too familiar. Read full review

Collider Allison Keene

Sep 20, 2016

Sutherland himself is cool and charming, but the boilerplate stylings and dialogue leave his character--and the series--uninspired. Read full review

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User Score

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6.5

User Reviews

Bgrod

Sep 21, 2016

Intense and taut but not overwrought. Best new drama pilot of the new Fall season by a long shot. Keifer is everyday family man handed the keys to the country.

3 of 9 users found this helpful36

MrAlexWild

Oct 12, 2016

Surprisingly a reasonable good tv show, we have been lacking something to replace th West Wing for a while, the only thing is the silly infighting and procrastinating, the only differences I would make would perhaps reduce some of the filming lengths to reflect current politics and get ridSurprisingly a reasonable good tv show, we have been lacking something to replace th West Wing for a while, the only thing is the silly infighting and procrastinating, the only differences I would make would perhaps reduce some of the filming lengths to reflect current politics and get rid of the military guy, he doesn't quite deliver the role with a "Brummy" Accent.....… Expand

1 of 5 users found this helpful14

StanCliffBroad

Dec 15, 2016

This is just '24', except Kiefer Sutherland does absolutely no running around, this dealbreaker rider was probably written into his contract. Suspension of disbelief is really hard work here, because the acting has little credibility.
Better acting, better 'adult' writing in terms of plotThis is just '24', except Kiefer Sutherland does absolutely no running around, this dealbreaker rider was probably written into his contract. Suspension of disbelief is really hard work here, because the acting has little credibility.
Better acting, better 'adult' writing in terms of plot line, would've made this subject matter a corker.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Othrandur

Oct 24, 2018

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I have enjoyed Kiefer Sutherland in many of his roles, but in "Designated Survivor", he falls flat. Since he has been good elsewhere, I can only assume that this is due to bad writing and direction. And the writing and direction are horrendous! The dialogue feels like it was written by someone who wasn't good enough to write for a daytime soap opera and the directors render it in much the same way as a soap opera would, with exaggerated facial expressions and ostentatious dramatic pauses that foretell an impending commercial.

The plots are naive to the point of stupidity, such as when government lawyers figure out a "clever" way to get around the Posse Comitatus Act at the last minute by having the FBI perform an action instead of the army. Doh! John Goodman was once in a comedy, "King Ralph", where he became the king of England because the royal family got electrocuted while taking a family photo. That comedy had a more solid plot than "Designated Survivor".

Given the subject and setting, it's hard not to make comparisons with "The West Wing" and "Designated Survivor" loses spectacularly in every possible aspect. Where "The West Wing" trusted the viewers to be intelligent, "Designated Survivor" is written with the expectation that the viewers are complete morons.

Character development and portrayal is on the same, low level as the writing and direction. The Tom Kirkman character is downright boring, especially when he opens his mouth. His attempts at motivation are reason enough for people to want to shoot him. The ineptitude of the writers make him sound illiterate, despite their failed attempts at making him seem eloquent. Kal Penn, who is very capable, clearly tries to make something positive from the pathetic lines he's given, but can't overcome the mediocrity of the writing staff. At least, he delivers the platitudes well. Maggie Q has moments where you can see that she has talent, but the writers and directors do a good job to bury that and turn her Hannah Wells character into an incoherent mess of clichés.

To summarize, this show is like a daytime soap opera that is written by people who master neither politics nor the English language. I'm generous to give this show a 4.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

gmillerdoc

Nov 1, 2016

This is a poorly written heavy handed approach, and, I believe, an embarrassment for Kiefer Sutherland coming off an outstanding series like 24. The expected family issues are poorly conveyed and simply raised as a means to an unimportant end. This was poorly executed. The problems the newThis is a poorly written heavy handed approach, and, I believe, an embarrassment for Kiefer Sutherland coming off an outstanding series like 24. The expected family issues are poorly conveyed and simply raised as a means to an unimportant end. This was poorly executed. The problems the new president faces is also sickeningly simple minded using heavy handed brutish political broad strokes, assuming a bigoted governor, muslim hatred, a general out to take over before even vetting this new President, a wily conniving congressional designated survivor, the improvised bomb chamber. Who wrote this drivel? Please focus on the real inevitable human drama and real strategic issues and don't come into this with a clear political agenda: the good president, the conniving female other designated survivor, the pushy, treacherous general. Uch. I can't believe Mr Sutherland is allowing these hack writers tarnish his reputation with such poor writing. Even the scene with the seals was staged or crafted in such an obvious way that it has to make one want to puke--and that is sad. The reason for two stars is that it is interesting enough to try to watch, considering the hope that someone will try to bring this out of the garbage and add some sheen to it. It does have Kiefer Sutherland in it, and he can shine if given decent material.… Expand

7 of 8 users found this helpful71

Broyax

Dec 29, 2016

J'aime bien Kiefer Sutherland, un acteur éminemment sympathique et très capable même si je ne me doutais pas qu'il approchait si vite des cinquante balais. L'acteur est en effet la seule bouée de sauvetage à laquelle on pourrait en dernier recours tenter de s'accrocher afin de ne pas coulerJ'aime bien Kiefer Sutherland, un acteur éminemment sympathique et très capable même si je ne me doutais pas qu'il approchait si vite des cinquante balais. L'acteur est en effet la seule bouée de sauvetage à laquelle on pourrait en dernier recours tenter de s'accrocher afin de ne pas couler en même temps que ce "naufrage" du petit écran à tous les égards. Maggie Q accuse le poids des ans, elle aussi mais à l'instar de son "Nikita", on ne veut surtout pas la revoir (oui, elle est naze).

De façon surprenante, la série parvient -malgré un idée de départ séduisante- à nous ennuyer en moins de 10 mn voire un petit quart d'heure... puis tout le premier épisode qui constitue le "pilote" et devrait au moins se réveiller et se bouger le cul un minimum ne fait que confirmer l'ennui colossal, grand comme une montagne.

L'ennui vient de la mise en scène d'une banalité affligeante, l'ennui vient également de l'écriture même de la série, très pauvre et sans éclat. C'est en effet terne, extrêmement terne, banal, vu et revu, bourré de clichés, le tout... tout au premier degré évidemment. Tellement générique qu'on ose même pas en rire ni en ricaner, même au troisième degré ! parce que ça ne vaut même pas un ricanement, celui qu'on accorderait de bonne grâce pour sa gamelle à un navet déjà périmé.

Et dire qu'il n'y a -pourtant !- que 10 épisodes dans cette première saison... et que dès le premier, c'est tout raté de la cave au grenier. Ils sont vraiment pas doués.… Expand

2 of 5 users found this helpful23

troubador

Apr 6, 2018

This show is a horrendously bad star vehicle for Maggie Q. The premise of the show is to follow FBI Agent Wells as she tries to solve a conspiracy to bring down the US Government. Kiefer Sutherland stars as President of the United States, in a failed attempt to shake the shackles of beingThis show is a horrendously bad star vehicle for Maggie Q. The premise of the show is to follow FBI Agent Wells as she tries to solve a conspiracy to bring down the US Government. Kiefer Sutherland stars as President of the United States, in a failed attempt to shake the shackles of being typecast as Jack Bauer, his performance adds little more than window dressing.

Designated Survivor would have been just about tolerable as a single season production. The lurch towards following Maggie Q in season two is stark. The dialogue is terrible, and unlikely, and the poor english accent delivered by an Australian actor who is basically supposed to be playing James Bond is so distractingly bad, it is almost a reason to continue watching. Adan Canto's christmas card list will not include his agent nor the script writers for this assignment. Kal Penn serves admirably on a sinking ship. Paulo Costanzo basically rehashes his Road Trip character in the White House. Italia Ricci does well and is probably the only person who will go on to benefit from staring in this show.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 81 REVIEWS

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SEE ALL TRAILERS

Seasons & Episodes

71

Series Overview
Season 3

tbd
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: June 7, 2019
Season 2

tbd
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: September 27, 2017
Season 1

71
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: September 21, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E21. Brace for Impact
  Air Date: May 17, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E20. Bombshell
  Air Date: May 10, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E19. Misalliance
  Air Date: May 3, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E18. Lazarus
  Air Date: April 26, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E17. The Ninth Seat
  Air Date: April 19, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E16. Party Lines
  Air Date: April 12, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E15. One Hundred Days
  Air Date: April 5, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E14. Commander-in-Chief
  Air Date: March 29, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E13. Backfire
  Air Date: March 22, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E12. The End of the Beginning
  Air Date: March 15, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E11. Warriors
  Air Date: March 8, 2017
- tbd
  S1:E10. The Oath
  Air Date: December 14, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E9. The Blueprint
  Air Date: December 7, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E8. The Results
  Air Date: November 30, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E7. The Traitor
  Air Date: November 16, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E6. The Interrogation
  Air Date: November 9, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E5. The Mission
  Air Date: October 26, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E4. The Enemy
  Air Date: October 12, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E3. The Confession
  Air Date: October 5, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E2. The First Day
  Air Date: September 28, 2016
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: September 21, 2016