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Behind the scenes

Designated Survivor

2016 – 2019Show3 seasons53 episodesTV-14

DramaWar & Politics
68
GoodGoodWatch score
IMDb7.4Metacritic716.2Rotten Tomatoes71%53%

A gripping, tense drama series about politics and everyday modern life.

Good for date night · friends night · teens

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Where to watch

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Not for laughs, comfort or warmth.

Shows with

Episodes

3 seasons · 53 episodes · best: S1E10 "The Oath" 8.5

Episodes

7.8
7.1
7.1

Story

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.

Feels like

  • Political Thriller
  • White House Drama
  • Complex Character Study
  • High-Stakes Governance
  • Intricate Plotting
  • Realistic Diplomacy
  • Power Dynamics
  • Ensemble Cast
  • Moral Ambiguity
  • Procedural Tension

Cast

24 of 147 · most episodes first

Crew

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

Everyone

Pick a department, or search for a name or a job (“editor”, “stunt”).

Facts

September 21, 2016 · June 7, 2019 · Ended

First aired
September 21, 2016
Last aired
June 7, 2019
Status
Ended
Length
3 seasons · 53 episodes
Age rating
TV-14
Content
Violence, Strong Language
Genres
Drama, War & Politics
Original language
English
Made in
United States
Available in
130 countries

Tropes

Aborted Arc, Tempting Fate, Twofer Token Minority +9

  • Aborted Arc
  • Tempting Fate
  • Twofer Token Minority
  • Token Minority
  • It's Personal
  • Disc-One Final Boss
  • Walk and Talk
  • Bitch in Sheep's Clothing
  • Obstructive Bureaucrat
  • Stress Vomit
  • The Quiet One
  • Smug Snake

12 of 193 tropes. From TV Tropes.

Q&A

5 questions, like "Where can I stream Designated Survivor?"

Questions about Designated Survivor

Quick answers from GoodWatch data.

Where can I stream Designated Survivor?

Netflix

In the United States, Designated Survivor streams on Netflix. You can rent or buy it from Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. It also streams in 129 other countries.

Is Designated Survivor worth watching?

68
GoodGoodWatch score

Mostly, it's well received, with a GoodWatch score of 68 (IMDb 7.4, Rotten Tomatoes 71%, and Metacritic 71).

Which season of Designated Survivor is best?

Season 1, with an IMDb average of 7.8. Seasons 2 and 3 are the weakest at 7.1. The highest-rated episode is The Oath (season 1, episode 10) at 8.5, and the lowest is #makehistory (season 3, episode 4) at 6.5.

Is Designated Survivor okay for kids?

TV-14ViolenceStrong language

Not for young kids: it's rated TV-14 in the United States for violence and strong language, and the viewing guide lists it for teens and adults.

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 tropes for it, including Aborted Arc, Tempting Fate, and Twofer Token Minority.