Designated Survivor

2016
3.9
14 reviews
TV-14
Rating
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (21)

1 Pilot
9/21/16
Season-only
Tom Kirkman is a lower-level cabinet member who is suddenly appointed President of the United States after a catastrophic attack on the U.S. Capitol during the State of the Union. In this dramatic thriller Kirkman will struggle to keep the country and his own family from falling apart while navigating the highly volatile political arena and while leading the search to find who is responsible for the attack.
2 The First Day
4/19/16
Season-only
Hours after the attack on the Capitol President Kirkman steps into his role as Commander-in- Chief in the midst of chaos and confusion. Facing dangerous new challenges and adversaries Kirkman struggles to hold a country together that is on the brink of falling apart.
3 The Confession
10/5/16
Season-only
President Kirkman and his staff work to keep a high-level security breach of the White House a secret just as he's about to give his first television interview. Meanwhile the FBI continues to investigate the Capitol bombing and Agent Hannah Wells starts to develop her own theories about who was really behind the attack.
4 The Enemy
10/12/16
Season-only
Kirkman learns who is behind the attack and needs to grapple not only with the prospect of war but brewing domestic troubles as well. Kirkman taps Emily to monitor the domestic situation while Alex may be in for more than she bargains for when she seeks out help from Hookstraten.
5 The Mission
10/26/16
Season-only
Realizing his attempts at diplomacy with Algeria have failed President Kirkman makes the difficult decision of sending Navy SEALs on a mission that will define his presidency. Meanwhile as the investigation into the Capitol bombing continues Agent Hannah Wells discovers more secrets than answers.
6 The Interrogation
11/9/16
Season-only
When shots ring out at The White House during a Governors Summit President Kirkman's plans at electing a new Congress are thrown into turmoil while Agent Hannah Wells continues investigating the Capitol bombing and makes one of her most shocking discoveries yet.
7 The Traitor
11/16/16
Season-only
When an American track-and-field coach heads to Russia President Kirkman is thrust into a hostage exchange involving the CIA and the Russian government. Meanwhile Agent Hannah Wells and Deputy Director Atwood's investigation into the Capitol bombing uncovers information that puts Atwood and his family's life at risk.
8 The Results
11/30/16
Season-only
On the eve of the country voting to elect a new House of Representatives an unexpected development forces Kirkman to consider cancelling the elections entirely. Meanwhile news has leaked about Majid Nassar's death and Kirkman has to handle the fallout.
9 The Blueprint
12/7/16
Season-only
When classified government documents are leaked online President Kirkman searches for the party responsible only to find that they have taken refuge inside a foreign embassy and are behind even his reach. Meanwhile Agent Hannah Wells races furiously to gather evidence of MacLeish's involvement in the conspiracy before he can be confirmed as the country's next Vice President.
10 The Oath
12/14/16
Season-only
President Kirkman fears there could be a traitor in the White House when he discovers shocking information connected to the Capitol Bombing. Confiding in Emily Kirkman puts her in charge of quietly investigating. Meanwhile new information surfaces about Congressman MacLeish raising concerns regarding his vice presidential nomination.
11 Warriors
3/8/17
Season-only
The nation reels from the aftermath of the shooting on the steps of the Capitol while Emily struggles with the knowledge there may be a traitor in the White House. Meanwhile FBI Agent Hannah Wells grapples with her decision to reveal what she knows about the conspiracy behind the Capitol bombing.
12 The End of the Beginning
3/15/17
Season-only
Circles must tighten as a new discovery within the conspiracy emerges. Meanwhile tension rises between Aaron and Emily as suspicions loom in the White House. A new lead places Agent Wells closer than before to the truth.
13 Backfire
3/22/17
Season-only
An investigative journalist shocks the White House when he reveals classified information during a press briefing and leaves Seth struggling to contain the damage from the leaked story. Meanwhile Hannah unearths a key connection between MacLeish and the conspiracy.
14 Commander-in-Chief
3/29/17
Season-only
Turmoil in an African country forces President Kirkman to rely on an unlikely ally for help as Hannah's investigation into the Capitol bombing takes an unexpected turn. Meanwhile Emily settles into her new role as chief of staff while Aaron has to make a difficult choice.
15 One Hundred Days
4/5/17
Season-only
As President Kirkman releases an agenda to reset his presidency Alex makes a controversial public statement that threatens to derail it. Meanwhile FBI agent Hannah Wells unknowingly finds herself in the center of a dangerous trap while getting closer to the truth.
16 Party Lines
4/12/17
Season-only
President Kirkman forms an unlikely alliance in the hopes of passing his first bill while Agent Ritter is briefed by FBI Agent Hannah Wells about a new alarming threat to the nation.
17 The Ninth Seat
4/19/17
Season-only
As President Kirkman struggles to put together a new Supreme Court FBI Agent Hannah Wells goes undercover and discovers much more than she ever could have imagined. Meanwhile Seth Wright has to contend with journalist Abe Leonard who returns from the Middle East with an explosive story.
18 Lazarus
4/26/17
Season-only
As President Kirkman considers candidates for Vice President Kimble Hookstraten finds herself embroiled in scandal. Agent Wells and Jason Atwood return from North Dakota with a critical new lead while journalist Abe Leonard's investigation takes an unexpected turn.
19 Misalliance
5/3/17
Season-only
As the White House gears up for President Kirkman's first international summit Kimble Hookstraten faces her toughest political battle yet when her speakership is challenged. Meanwhile Alex wrestles with whether or not to bring the kids back to Washington.
20 Bombshell
5/10/17
Season-only
President Kirkman's first international summit is derailed when journalist Abe Leonard publishes an explosive article. Meanwhile Hannah Wells uncovers the conspiracy's next target.
21 Brace for Impact
5/17/17
Season-only
Hannah Wells must stop the conspiracy from carrying out a final attack while President Kirkman authorizes a nationwide manhunt for the mastermind behind it all.

About this show

A low-level Cabinet member becomes President of the United States after a catastrophic attack kills everyone above him in the line of succession.

Ratings and reviews

3.9
14 reviews
Kassidy Wiedenhoeft
December 6, 2021
The first two seasons ROCKED. I was on the edge of my seat every episode and could not stop watching. It was realistic, mature, suspenseful, and and the perfect action show. Then, Netflix took over for season 3 and absolutely ruined the show. They got rid of essential, loveable characters (Chuck, Lyor, Mike, killed off Alex?) Netflix introduced a ton of new characters without any explanation of who they were. The profanity makes it hard to watch and the storylines are literal garbage. In seasons 1 and 2, the plot of the shows were middle-ground. Once Netflix took over, every episode became about a political agenda. It feels less like a TV show and more like an activist ad. I wish season 3 had turned out better than it did, but honestly, I wish that ABC would've done just 2-3 more episodes to close off the show differently rather than cancel it and give it to Netflix. Netflix ruined it.
Matthew Newhard
April 28, 2021
Great show....previous commenter is wrong. In the series the entire congress (house and senate) are killed at the state of union. Only the designated survivor cabinet member is alive (not at event).
William DeAndrade
April 19, 2021
Good show but its not correct. The senate would get the oldest person still alive to take over the presidentcy then elect new secrataries.
2 people found this review helpful