Designated Survivor

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Season 1
Season #: 3, 2, 1
User Score
6.5

Generally favorable reviews- based on 254 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 162 out of 254
  2. Mixed: 38 out of 254
  3. Negative: 54 out of 254
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User Reviews

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  1. Bgrod
    Sep 21, 2016
    10
    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.
  2. viewer911
    Jan 2, 2017
    10
    Amongst top 10 on network tv for me. . Political intrigue, action, and solid acting especially by Kiefer Sutherland. Cant wait for next season. Don't care if it's far fetched . It's a fictional drama meant to entertain- not a documentary so I can overlook some of the more obvious clichés. Overall the writing is pretty good.
  3. dukesnyd
    Sep 30, 2016
    10
    I don't think a President of the United States no matter who he is would be a Whisperer. talk normal Kiefer .You are not on 24 now so stop whispering.
  4. connor1982
    Oct 3, 2016
    10
    Outstanding new show. Sutherland delivers as usual. A politician that wants to do good things for the people gets thrust into the position of President of the United States due to a terrorist bombing. He now has to deal with trying to put the government back together while the military leaders and others want to put someone else in charge. It seems to me, so far, that we will see aOutstanding new show. Sutherland delivers as usual. A politician that wants to do good things for the people gets thrust into the position of President of the United States due to a terrorist bombing. He now has to deal with trying to put the government back together while the military leaders and others want to put someone else in charge. It seems to me, so far, that we will see a somewhat quiet family man grow in to the nations most powerful leader while trying to keep to his beliefs and personal morals amidst the chaos. I have very high hopes for this one.… Expand
  5. gilbermon
    Jan 12, 2017
    10
    I love this, I fell that 24 is back... The adrenaline and suspense is what I was looking for a while, I didn't get that since 24. Thank you for making this...
  6. sebastian1227
    Feb 19, 2017
    10
    Great show! A mix of West Wing, with a dash of 24 and House of Cards! With our current political climate, really makes us want to feel some normalcy how a POTUS tries to do a decent job on a daily basis. I look forward to this every week even if it's just a a fantastical show . Kiefer Sutherland is just one of those amazing actors that could carry a show like this. Hope they renew itGreat show! A mix of West Wing, with a dash of 24 and House of Cards! With our current political climate, really makes us want to feel some normalcy how a POTUS tries to do a decent job on a daily basis. I look forward to this every week even if it's just a a fantastical show . Kiefer Sutherland is just one of those amazing actors that could carry a show like this. Hope they renew it for a second season next year.… Expand
  7. Spaniardunited
    Jun 21, 2018
    10
    Baldwin couldn't do it, Ford was ok, Affleck couldn't do it, Pine couldn't do it ... not until Sutherland do we finally get the Jack Ryan we deserve, and it's not even Jack Ryan. DS feels like the reimagining of Debt of Honor and Executive Orders, and I for one am loving it. Different strokes for different folks, but I just can't agree with the bad reviews ... I like the story, theBaldwin couldn't do it, Ford was ok, Affleck couldn't do it, Pine couldn't do it ... not until Sutherland do we finally get the Jack Ryan we deserve, and it's not even Jack Ryan. DS feels like the reimagining of Debt of Honor and Executive Orders, and I for one am loving it. Different strokes for different folks, but I just can't agree with the bad reviews ... I like the story, the execution, the cast, and especially Kiefer.

    Maybe the negative reviewers are Spacey fans? Dunno, but I would absolutely recommend this show.    … Expand
  8. nightblade00
    Nov 15, 2016
    9
    Really liking this show so far.

    Positives: Premise is really cool. The leftover politicians are pretty accurate representations of what our real politicians are like, especially on the right. I also love a good conspiracy---which so far has been the most well done aspect of the show. Negatives: The writing can be cheesy at times, but most network shows are. There is definitely    Really liking this show so far.

    Positives: Premise is really cool. The leftover politicians are pretty accurate representations of what our real politicians are like, especially on the right. I also love a good conspiracy---which so far has been the most well done aspect of the show.

    Negatives: The writing can be cheesy at times, but most network shows are. There is definitely a disconnect between well written cable drama and network dramas.    … Expand
  9. HARBAD
    Nov 13, 2017
    9
    in episode 5 "idiot" President Kirkman gets into a mess, since an old friend, besides a politician, tries to take advantage of decontextualizing the commentary, where the president calls the Americans an idiot, nevertheless, his tenacity and determination manage to return the direction to comments and take advantage of this error, in my opinion, although the series has kept me since itsin episode 5 "idiot" President Kirkman gets into a mess, since an old friend, besides a politician, tries to take advantage of decontextualizing the commentary, where the president calls the Americans an idiot, nevertheless, his tenacity and determination manage to return the direction to comments and take advantage of this error, in my opinion, although the series has kept me since its inception and this in its second season has slight signs of being more interesting, intrigues and power struggles do not seem to do nick in the figure of the president who happened to be an irreproachable architect to handle the threads of power of the most powerful nation in the world for a fortuitous matter, although in some aspects the series is loose of arguments, unlike house of cards, they teach like the good thing that a politician must have and that if there can be people like that in the future.… Expand
  10. Prosmooth
    Sep 22, 2016
    8
    Really strong pilot. Pretty much perfect when Sutherland is on the screen. It lags a bit when he's not. We will have to see how strong the subplots are. Interestingly--that was the weakness of 24 in more than a few seasons. Pretty excited to see if this one has legs, once the initial plot is finished.
  11. MrAlexWild
    Oct 12, 2016
    8
    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 rid of the military guy, he doesn't quite deliver the role with a "Brummy" Accent.....
  12. SrPepe
    Jul 8, 2018
    8
    Una trama muy muy interesante con un protagonista con una gran personalidad encargado de dirigir al país más poderoso del mundo.
  13. CovertNinja
    Dec 14, 2016
    8
    Designated Survivor is a good TV show if you just wanna sit back and relax, but not watch a complete idiotic people screwing around. The show concentrates on basically 2 stories: Tom Kirkman and Hannah Wells. Tom Kirkman is the new president of United States after the bombing of the capitol. Audience watches how he sorts out the problems, due to people's distrust in him. There is a smallDesignated Survivor is a good TV show if you just wanna sit back and relax, but not watch a complete idiotic people screwing around. The show concentrates on basically 2 stories: Tom Kirkman and Hannah Wells. Tom Kirkman is the new president of United States after the bombing of the capitol. Audience watches how he sorts out the problems, due to people's distrust in him. There is a small transformation seen, but not so much. Then there is Hannah Wells who is an agent and is solving the capitol bombing, and sometimes those 2 worlds collide. Yes, worlds, because I rarely see any type of interaction between them except few times. Sometimes I feel like the show is concentrating on just Hannah Wells, but in my personal opinion, I prefer Tom Kirkman's story.

    Overall rating is 8/10 due to sometimes lack of interaction between characters and just personal feeling about this TV show.    … Expand
  14. rmswenson747
    Sep 30, 2016
    8
    this could be good.... i hope the writers can maintain the story... it will be especially interesting to see if the story line continues with the developing story of a non-political president.
  15. dissennatori
    Oct 24, 2016
    8
    Ok maybe is a bit of others series but so what? I personally want to be entertained And even if I've approached the second episode not too exicited I can't stopped my self to looked immediatly the others And can't wait for the next to come.
  16. MovieNerd_EP
    Oct 24, 2017
    8
    Designated Survivor has a fascinating premiss, a standout performance by Kiefer Sutherland, a solid supporting cast, good writing and a plot that keeps you hooked. It does have some dull moments, but they are rare in a series that generally keeps the pace going very well.
  17. nielsnable
    Jan 10, 2018
    8
    Designated Survivor is an easy-to-watch, fast-paced drama that marries effectively the espionage elements of Homeland and the exciting politics of House Cards while keeping its original premise intact and thrilling. While it certainly keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout its 21 episodes (I myself watched the first half in one day because it is just surprisingly bingeable), you mayDesignated Survivor is an easy-to-watch, fast-paced drama that marries effectively the espionage elements of Homeland and the exciting politics of House Cards while keeping its original premise intact and thrilling. While it certainly keeps you on the edge of your seat throughout its 21 episodes (I myself watched the first half in one day because it is just surprisingly bingeable), you may often find the show too familiar and derivative. And they also badly need to replace their scriptwriters.… Expand
  18. eagleeyeviking
    Sep 22, 2016
    7
    Kiefer Sutherland carries Designated Survivor effortlessly, delivering an understated (compared to 24) but still riveting performance as the POTUS. The show around him is promising with solid action and thrills even if the supporting cast are rather one note so far.
  19. McGillotine
    Nov 16, 2016
    7
    Join the adventures of Solduis Snake as he takes down the mysterious organsation known as the patriots... I mean join the adventures of Americas least favourite and ethically divided president, Thomas Kirkman as he embarks to take down those responsible for blowing up the American Capital building and for pulling strings inside the US government. Now, within this TV show, it is pretty muchJoin the adventures of Solduis Snake as he takes down the mysterious organsation known as the patriots... I mean join the adventures of Americas least favourite and ethically divided president, Thomas Kirkman as he embarks to take down those responsible for blowing up the American Capital building and for pulling strings inside the US government. Now, within this TV show, it is pretty much played on a week to week basis with Kirkman, the last surving cabnint member in the US democratic party facing a new ethical conflict in what can be described as an anti-after school special with Kirkman learning that the peacful solution isnt always the best solution.

    Now where the story overall despite its cheesy and sometimes overly pushy subjects matters, the story otherwise is actually quite entertaining to watch unfold with familair actors playing their roles, while not realistically, are otherwise interesting to watch. My only falter with the story is perhaps the subplot with kirkmans family which is about as cliche as famalies are portrayed with an innocent little daughter, an emo drug addicted son and an overbearing wife who is good incarnate. Now why i dont like this sub plot is because of the scenes involving them come across as paint by numbers with the plot you've seen been told a million times being to told again in an inferior manner. The best plot however probably comes inside the oval office with Kirkman, the chief of staff and deupty chief of staff actually doing somthing that is interesting while expanding upon both character devolpment and plot.

    Overall Designated Survivor is worth a watch and despite its flaws is better than about 90% of other television.    … Expand
  20. section20mi6
    Feb 12, 2018
    7
    Despite a immensely well-paced first episode, Designated Survivor falls short when procedural method kicks in with later episodes. However overall story line took a turn after mid-season when focus shifted more to the conspiracy with several surprising deaths. In general, season 1 proves to be an adequate political drama on a budget.
  21. StanCliffBroad
    Dec 15, 2016
    7
    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 plot line, would've made this subject matter a corker.
  22. Ripandread
    Sep 27, 2016
    7
    Interesting concept for a TV show however it reminds me slightly of Geena Davis' program "Commander-in-Chief. Instead of the new president facing opposition from a sitting senator, the military Chief of Staff wants to depose Sutherland's character. Of course the show had to toss in the cute little kid and teenager with issues, which seems to be a standard practice in numerous drama seriesInteresting concept for a TV show however it reminds me slightly of Geena Davis' program "Commander-in-Chief. Instead of the new president facing opposition from a sitting senator, the military Chief of Staff wants to depose Sutherland's character. Of course the show had to toss in the cute little kid and teenager with issues, which seems to be a standard practice in numerous drama series these days. While the show has potential, I think Sutherland's TV career peaked after "24".… Expand
  23. hangadodo
    Oct 15, 2016
    7
    I agree with ArtsCriticsForum, Kiefer Sutherland is the nr 1 guy for this position. He saved the world in 24 so many times, he is now a credible President to do it a number of times. Don't take it too seriously...
  24. jeremyp
    Nov 18, 2016
    6
    What starts off well all too soon veers into familiar prime time simplistic plot lines and ludicrous scenarios. If Madame Secretary is written for middle schoolers this is for high school frosh. The average voter can follow along and it is condescendingly plot twisty enough to make people think they are being immersed in the world of high brow television, but it's just a meandering taleWhat starts off well all too soon veers into familiar prime time simplistic plot lines and ludicrous scenarios. If Madame Secretary is written for middle schoolers this is for high school frosh. The average voter can follow along and it is condescendingly plot twisty enough to make people think they are being immersed in the world of high brow television, but it's just a meandering tale dressed up to look like Homeland. We all know that Kiefer's POTUS will soon enough morph from mid west joe into Jack Bauer.… Expand
  25. AxeT
    May 11, 2017
    6
    Downgraded from an 8 rating. Whereas "House of Cards" is entertainment for adults, this is for 10 year olds. ABC/Disney now place diversity as their top priority over good story-telling, and this is the cartoon junk that results. Still, what a great premise! Unfortunately it's been blown coming to the end of the season by regurgitated Left wing headlines substituting for creativity.Downgraded from an 8 rating. Whereas "House of Cards" is entertainment for adults, this is for 10 year olds. ABC/Disney now place diversity as their top priority over good story-telling, and this is the cartoon junk that results. Still, what a great premise! Unfortunately it's been blown coming to the end of the season by regurgitated Left wing headlines substituting for creativity. Weak writers.

    The pilot for this series is off the charts great, and the high concept itself is a clear home run. It beats all the similar stupid White House disaster feature films out in recent years. Unfortunately it immediately devolves into a Leftist social agenda by the second episode with the same old cliché wrap up end ballad montage from former rock song formula. Still the writing is good and the story ratchets up the tension constantly with new wrinkles and developments which is what is best in any drama series. So far anyway...    … Expand
  26. YoloSwag4Doge
    Nov 25, 2016
    6
    I liked the show at first, but the plot seems way to oversimplified and doesn't always make a lot of sense. I was hoping for more of an apocalyptic, anarchy outcome, but instead it's basically a show about politics, conspiracies and every day relationship challenges.

    As an example of the plot not making a whole lot of sense, at one point a prisoner gives up the name of a terrorist. They    I liked the show at first, but the plot seems way to oversimplified and doesn't always make a lot of sense. I was hoping for more of an apocalyptic, anarchy outcome, but instead it's basically a show about politics, conspiracies and every day relationship challenges.

    As an example of the plot not making a whole lot of sense, at one point a prisoner gives up the name of a terrorist. They search the name in their database and don't find a match. At first they wonder if the prisoner was lying, which makes complete sense, but instead jump on the idea that it's a CIA conspiracy. They don't even touch upon two other more likely possibilities. One being that the terrorist simply isn't in a database, because the US doesn't know about every single terrorist in the world. Or, and I believe this is the most likely, the terrorist simply gave him a fake alias on the spot. I mean, why the **** would he give anyone that he's working with the exact same alias he's been using for years. Sure enough, a CIA informant gives up his file which comes complete with not just his alias, but his real name. For being an extremely dangerous terrorist, the guy isn't very good at hiding his identity.    … Expand
  27. NIGHTOWL50
    Dec 27, 2016
    6
    Loved the premise of the show, but it's a bit far-fetched even for ABC. So the FBI agent can't call anyone about the attempted assassination or anything else that she's found? She has to go from place to place on her own? And the FBI and police can't find her, but the bad guys follow her everywhere? I mean, come on...the President is already suspicious of the senator/VP...any type of infoLoved the premise of the show, but it's a bit far-fetched even for ABC. So the FBI agent can't call anyone about the attempted assassination or anything else that she's found? She has to go from place to place on her own? And the FBI and police can't find her, but the bad guys follow her everywhere? I mean, come on...the President is already suspicious of the senator/VP...any type of info on him from the FBI gal would not go unheard. One phone call to the White House, FBI, or Secret Service and they'd be in on what she's chasing in a minute. ABC has a tendency to do this with all of their dramas...remember Revenge? Quantico? They start out well, and then always go downhill with ridiculous story lines. I understand it's fictional television, but at least have some credibility with your viewers. This is pure making-it-up-as-I-go stuff. I watched the first half of season one, and I think I'm done. At least Chicago P.D., NCIS, and other dramas - while a bit out there - are at least in the ballpark of reality with their story lines.… Expand
  28. wy1Kk1r7sUKl
    Dec 2, 2018
    6
    It's a decent show. But every episode tries to wrap in the issues du jour. And it deals with most of them in the most cursory of ways. It's bad writing. Also, at times Keifer Sutherland's voice gets on my nerves.
  29. MeritCoba
    Jan 7, 2017
    5
    When, during the State of the Union, almost every important politician is killed by a massive explosive that level the Capitol, Tom Kirkman, the secretary of Housing and Urban Development is propelled to the job of leader of the free world. It is up to him to deal with the 9/11 scenario and dissent within the country and within the white house staff.
    Kiefer Sutherland does his best to    When, during the State of the Union, almost every important politician is killed by a massive explosive that level the Capitol, Tom Kirkman, the secretary of Housing and Urban Development is propelled to the job of leader of the free world. It is up to him to deal with the 9/11 scenario and dissent within the country and within the white house staff.
    Kiefer Sutherland does his best to make the most of this uneven character and the cliche ridden story that requires some serious suspension of disbelief and makes everybody dumb so the key persons can look smart.
    Two episodes in and one could see it coming. Maggie Q plays an FBI agent who comes to the conclusion that there is something rotten in the state of Denmark when an unexploded bomb is found in the rubble of the Capitol which, upon investigation, seems to point to an obscure Muslim terrorist group. She does this by thinking hard, looking anguished and hanging around in a tent while other people do the hard work.. But wait a moment. What nutcase will even believe that IEDs have been used to blowup a building so big as the Capitol? You know how many of those devices you need for that? Think truckloads. It either is so obvious a plant that it was on purposely put there to fail as a plant or the writers just have no clue about explosives.
    Nobody else comes to the conclusion that there is something fishy going on. Yeah only smart people like Maggie Q do.
    Cliche upon cliche is served one after the other. The warmongering general who actually schemes to overthrow the president. The rebellious governor who gives free reign to police brutality(no doubt a Republican).
    The Republican senator Hookstraten, the only other survivor, who is obvious going to play Brutus with the president.The loner president who apparently has no friends. The irresponsible troubled teen age son who is into soft drugs. The bickering advisors who never seem to be able to give the president any sound advice.
    The president himself is like a wind vane in a hurricane: one moment he makes strong decisions, the next moment he looks around in panic and throws up.
    All in all, the show has an interesting premise, but even Kiefer Sutherland isn't able to save the cliche ridden story. It gets a five because of the acting, it loses five for the badly written story.    … Expand
  30. Qldgamer
    Sep 24, 2016
    5
    This is a poor version of West Wing. It is a bit dull and the characters are mono-dimensional. The plot seems to struggle with actually getting some tension from the big event.
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Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Best TV Season of 2016
11
#11 Most Discussed TV Season of 2016
49
#49 Most Shared TV Season of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
71

Generally favorable reviews - based on 35 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 26 out of 35
  2. Mixed: 9 out of 35
  3. Negative: 0 out of 35
  1. Wall Street Journal
    Reviewed by: Dorothy Rabinowitz
    Sep 22, 2016
    50
    The problem comes in the second episode, along with a suddenly increased capacity to resist everything about Designated Survivor. Here we come up against the show’s message, or more precisely its gross political tendentiousness. ... Mr. Sutherland may not have been the best choice for the role of a virtuous milquetoast concealing a heart of steel--the milquetoast part dominates even when the steel is flashed.
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  2. Los Angeles Daily News
    Reviewed by: Rob Lowman
    Sep 21, 2016
    80
    It looks like Sutherland has another winner on his hands.
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  3. New York Magazine (Vulture)
    Reviewed by: Jen Chaney
    Sep 21, 2016
    80
    It’s smartly made, but it also doesn’t linger terribly long on details, including character development. ... If nothing else, there is something satisfying about seeing Sutherland as our president.
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