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Designated Survivor

2016·Show
53Episodes in3Seasons·TV-PG
68
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.4Metacritic716.2Rotten Tomatoes71%53%
Episodes
IMDb7.4Metacritic716.2Rotten Tomatoes71%53%
Episodes

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Designated Survivor fingerprint

High energy, strong craft, light on feelings.

Energy

Tense

  • Tension8
  • Fast Pace6
  • Adrenaline5

Heart

Emotionally reserved

  • Pathos6
  • Family Dynamics6
  • Melancholy5

Humor

Some sharp wit

Not a comedy at heart.

  • Wit & Wordplay7
  • Satire & Parody3
  • Dark Humor2

World

Politics, everyday modern life, and society

Lived-in and easy to get lost in.

  • Dialogue Centrality9
  • World Immersion8
  • Novelty6

Craft

Standout performances and dialogue

Layered plot that rewards full attention.

  • Intrigue9
  • Acting8
  • Dialogue Quality8

Style

Functional look and sound

  • Editing7
  • Cinematography6
  • Music Composition6

Who it's for

AdultsDate NightFriends NightIntergenerationalPartner WatchPublic Viewing SafeSolo WatchTeensBinge-FriendlyThought-Provoking

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Based on the GoodWatch fingerprint: our scores for 70+ attributes of every show. Select a row to see all of them.

Episode ratings

IMDb rating of every episode, one row per season
SeasonEpisode 1Episode 2Episode 3Episode 4Episode 5Episode 6Episode 7Episode 8Episode 9Episode 10Episode 11Episode 12Episode 13Episode 14Episode 15Episode 16Episode 17Episode 18Episode 19Episode 20Episode 21Episode 22
IMDb rating of every episode, one column per season
Episode
Episode 1
Episode 2
Episode 3
Episode 4
Episode 5
Episode 6
Episode 7
Episode 8
Episode 9
Episode 10
Episode 11
Episode 12
Episode 13
Episode 14
Episode 15
Episode 16
Episode 17
Episode 18
Episode 19
Episode 20
Episode 21
Episode 22

About

Declare your independence.

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.
Political ThrillerWhite House DramaComplex Character StudyHigh-Stakes GovernanceIntricate PlottingRealistic DiplomacyPower DynamicsEnsemble CastMoral AmbiguityProcedural Tension

Crew

Directed by:
Chris Grismer, Frederick E. O. Toye, Timothy Busfield
Written by:
Keith Eisner, David Guggenheim, Paul Redford

Sequels and Prequels

No sequels or prequels available

Media

Questions about Designated Survivor

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Designated Survivor legally?

Netflix

Designated Survivor is included with a subscription to Netflix in the United States. You can also rent or buy it from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. All links in Where to Watch go to these licensed services.

Is Designated Survivor worth watching?

68
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly. It's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 68/100 (IMDb 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes 71%, and Metacritic 71). The GoodWatch score combines critic and audience ratings.

What is Designated Survivor rated?

TV-PGViolenceStrong language

It's rated TV-PG in the United States. Content advisories: violence and strong language.

How many seasons does Designated Survivor have?

3 seasons

It has 3 seasons with 53 episodes.

Do critics and audiences agree on Designated Survivor?

Critics71
Audiences63

Not quite. Critics rate Designated Survivor higher (71) than audiences (63). It may be more rewarding than it is crowd-pleasing.

When did Designated Survivor air?

It ran from 2016 to 2019 and has ended.

What language is Designated Survivor in?

English

It was made in English. Produced in United States.

In how many countries can I watch Designated Survivor?

130ADAEAGALAOARATAUAZBABBBEBGBH+116

GoodWatch finds legal streaming, rental, or purchase options for Designated Survivor in 130 countries. Pick any of them in Where to Watch to see the local services.

What tropes does Designated Survivor use?

Aborted ArcTempting FateTwofer Token MinorityToken MinorityIt's PersonalDisc-One Final BossWalk and TalkBitch in Sheep's ClothingObstructive BureaucratStress VomitThe Quiet OneSmug Snakeand 181 more

TV Tropes lists 193 storytelling tropes for Designated Survivor, including Aborted Arc, Tempting Fate, Twofer Token Minority.