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Designated Survivor

Designated Survivor

20167
DramatWar & Politics
Premiera
21 wrz 2016
Kraj
Stany Zjednoczone
Produkcje
Genre FilmsABC StudiosEntertainment 360
Trzymający w napięciu thriller polityczny. Po ataku terrorystycznym na waszyngtońskie elity losy Ameryki znajdują się w rękach nisko postawionego sekretarza gabinetu.

About

Quick guide

A low‑level cabinet official becomes president after a Capitol bombing kills everyone ahead of him in the line of succession.

When an explosion kills the president and all his immediate successors, Tom Kirkman, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, is thrust into the Oval Office. Over the course of three seasons, he navigates the pressures of leadership while uncovering the truth behind the attack, balancing policy, family, and politics.

What to know

  • Tom Kirkman is the series’ reluctant president.
  • The story blends political drama with an ongoing conspiracy investigation.
  • Kirkman’s wife, Alex, and children are central to his personal stakes.
  • The plot spans three seasons, with 53 episodes in total.
  • The show features a mix of White House staff, CIA agents, and a Senate agenda.
  • It explores national security, foreign policy, and domestic lawmaking.
  • The tone is serious with intense action and suspense.
  • Episodes often interweave policy decisions with investigative plotlines.

Watch if

If you enjoy shows that blend political intrigue, courtroom drama, and a mystery‑filled conspiracy with a lead who is suddenly thrust into power, this series offers a steady pace of decisions, investigations, and family moments.

Skip if

If you prefer light‑hearted sitcoms, pure procedural crime shows, or stories without a political or executive‑level focus, you may find the tone heavy and the pacing uneven for your taste.

political themeswar themessuspensefulinvestigation heavyintense actiondialogue heavydark tone
Premise Overview
An attack during the State of the Union kills the president and his top aides, leaving Tom Kirkman, the low‑level HUD secretary, as the new commander‑in‑chief. Over three seasons he must run the nation, face media scrutiny, and solve the attack’s mystery while balancing family life.
Main Cast & Characters
Kiefer Sutherland plays Tom Kirkman; Natascha McElhone portrays his wife Alex, who is later killed in season two. Supporting roles include Kal Penn as communications director Seth Wright, Maggie Q as CIA agent Hannah Wells, and Adam Canto as VP‑elect Aaron Shore.
Political Intrigue
The show examines the inner workings of the White House, Senate negotiations, and executive orders. It highlights the tension between policy goals and public perception, while revealing how power is exercised amid uncertainty and threat.
Investigation & Conspiracy
A dedicated CIA team hunts the perpetrators of the Capitol bombing. Through interrogations, forensic work, and covert ops, they uncover layers of political corruption, foreign ties, and internal sabotage that challenge the administration.
Family Dynamics
Kirkman’s marriage, children, and extended family provide emotional stakes. The series portrays the strain of public office on private life, the grief of loss, and the resilience needed to keep a family together.
Production & Reception
Created by David Guggenheim, the series aired on ABC before moving to Netflix for its final season. Critics praised its pace, but some felt the political realism was thin. Ratings remained solid enough to keep it on air for three seasons.
Episode Structure
Each episode blends policy decisions with investigative subplots, often ending on a cliffhanger. The show balances procedural elements with serialized political drama, keeping viewers engaged with both immediate and long‑term story arcs.

FAQ

49 Q&A
Who is Tom Kirkman?
Tom Kirkman is the main character and becomes President of the United States.
Who is Seth Wright?
Seth Wright is the White House Press Secretary.
What happens to the President's family?
The President's family deals with the changes and dangers that come with his new role.
Who is Hannah Wells?
Hannah Wells is an FBI agent who investigates the attack.
What is the Capitol Building?
The Capitol Building is where Congress meets.
What happens during the State of the Union?
During the State of the Union, the President talks to Congress about the country's condition.
Who is Aaron Shore?
Aaron Shore is the Vice President who later becomes President.
Who is Penny Kirkman?
Penny Kirkman is Tom Kirkman's young daughter.
What is the role of the FBI?
The FBI investigates crimes, including the attack on the Capitol.
Who is the President's daughter?
The President's daughter is Penny Kirkman.
Who is the First Lady?
The First Lady is Alex Kirkman, Tom Kirkman's wife.
What is the President's family like?
The President's family is supportive but faces many challenges.
Who is Leo Kirkman?
Leo Kirkman is Tom Kirkman's teenage son.
Who is the Vice President?
Aaron Shore is initially the Vice President.
What is Hannah Wells' job?
Hannah Wells is an FBI agent.
Who attacks the Capitol?
A group of terrorists attacks the Capitol.
Who is the FBI Director?
The FBI Director is the head of the FBI.
What is Designated Survivor about?
Designated Survivor is about a low-level cabinet member who becomes President after an attack.
Who is Emily Rhodes?
Emily Rhodes is the White House Chief of Staff.
Who is the Speaker of the House?
The Speaker of the House is a leader in Congress.
Who becomes president?
Tom Kirkman becomes President.
Who is the President's son?
The President's son is Leo Kirkman.
Who is the main character?
The main character is Tom Kirkman.
Why is the main character called 'Designated Survivor'?
He is called 'Designated Survivor' because he was at a safe location during the attack when everyone else in line for the presidency died.
What happens in the first episode?
In the first episode, the Capitol is attacked during the State of the Union, and Tom Kirkman becomes President.
What happens in season 3?
In season 3, President Kirkman runs for election. He faces new enemies and deals with the challenges of campaigning for president while in office. There are also new political issues and personal struggles for the characters.
Was the show popular?
The show was popular enough to have three seasons. It was watched by many people when it first aired and was later available on Netflix, which helped it reach a wider audience.
How does the President deal with Congress?
President Kirkman often struggles to get his plans approved by Congress. He has to use his political skills, make deals, and sometimes work around them to get things done.
What challenges does the President face?
President Kirkman faces many challenges. These include figuring out who attacked the Capitol, stopping further attacks, running the country, dealing with political opponents, and keeping his family safe.
What is the secret plot?
The secret plot is about a group of people who want to take over the government. They planned the attack on the Capitol to cause chaos and then seize power.
What happens to the attackers?
The attackers are slowly found and brought to justice. President Kirkman and his team work to uncover their identities and stop their plans, leading to arrests and the exposure of their conspiracy.
What does the Presidential Succession Act do?
The Presidential Succession Act is a law that says who becomes president if the current president can no longer serve. It lists the people in order, like the Vice President and then others in the government.
What happens to the main characters at the end?
At the end of the show, President Kirkman wins the election and becomes the president for a full term. Many of the main characters find their places and continue to work with him or move on with their lives.
What is the ending of the show?
The show ends with President Kirkman winning the election and officially becoming the president. He has overcome many challenges and successfully led the country.
How does the President find out who is responsible?
President Kirkman uses his FBI, intelligence agencies, and his own team to investigate. They gather clues, follow leads, and uncover evidence to identify the people behind the attacks.
Who is the bad guy?
The main bad guys are a group of people who planned to overthrow the government by attacking the Capitol. They are motivated by a desire for power and believe they can run the country better.
Does the President win re-election?
Yes, President Kirkman runs for election in season 3 and wins, becoming the president for a full term.
Are there any real-life events like Designated Survivor?
While the idea of a major attack on the government is fictional, there have been real-life events where political leaders faced crises and had to make tough decisions under pressure.
Who created Designated Survivor?
The show was created by David Guggenheim.
Why was the show canceled?
The show was canceled after its third season because its network, ABC, decided not to renew it. Netflix then picked it up for a third season but later decided not to continue it.
When did the show start?
The show first aired on September 21, 2016.
What is the role of other countries?
Other countries play a role in the show as allies and sometimes as sources of information or even suspicion. President Kirkman has to work with them on international issues and security matters.
Where was the show filmed?
The show was filmed in various locations, including Toronto, Canada, and Washington D.C.
Which network aired the show?
The show first aired on ABC in the United States, and later seasons were streamed on Netflix.
Does the President stay in power?
Yes, after the initial attack, Tom Kirkman becomes President. He then runs for and wins a full term as president at the end of the series.
What happens in season 2?
In season 2, President Kirkman deals with more political challenges, including investigations into the attack and growing opposition. He also faces personal struggles and tries to build a strong presidency.
What is the political system shown in the series?
The series shows the United States' presidential system. It includes the President, Congress, the Vice President, and other government roles, with a focus on the checks and balances between different branches of government.
What is NATO?
NATO stands for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. It is an alliance of countries from North America and Europe that agree to protect each other if one is attacked.
What is the motivation of the attackers?
The attackers are motivated by a desire to overthrow the U.S. government. They believe that the current leadership is weak and that they can create a better, more powerful nation by taking control through force.

Aktorzy

Kiefer Sutherland
Kiefer Sutherland
Tom Kirkman
Maggie Q
Maggie Q
Hannah Wells
Kal Penn
Kal Penn
Seth Wright
Adan Canto
Adan Canto
Aaron Shore
Italia Ricci
Italia Ricci
Emily Rhodes
Emiliano Díez
Emiliano Díez
Président Ortega