Home > Designated Survivor > Season 1 « TV Series Page Designated Survivor: Season 1 (2016 - 2017) SEASON: Season 1 Season 1 Season 2 Season 3 Want to see Episode List Season 1 Designated Survivor Critics Consensus Kiefer Sutherland skillfully delivers the drama in Designated Survivor, a fast-paced, quickly engrossing escapist political action fantasy. 87% TOMATOMETER Critic Ratings: 62 78% Audience Score User Ratings: 1424 See score details Rate And Review Submit review Want to see Edit Submit review Super Reviewer Verified Super Reviewer Verified Edit Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit Continue Super Reviewer Step 2 of 2 How did you buy your ticket? Let's get your review verified. Submit By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. You're almost there! Just confirm how you got your ticket. Super Reviewer Rate this season Oof, that was Rotten. Meh, it passed the time. It’s good – I’d recommend it. Awesome! So Fresh: Absolute Must See! What did you think of this tv season? (optional) Submit How did you buy your ticket? Submit By opting to have your ticket verified for this movie, you are allowing us to check the email address associated with your Rotten Tomatoes account against an email address associated with a Fandango ticket purchase for the same movie. Episodes 1 Pilot Air date: Sep 21, 2016 Tom Kirkman, a lower level United States Cabinet member, finds himself suddenly appointed president of the country after a catastrophic attack kills everyone above him in the line of succession in the series premiere of this dramatic thriller. More 2 The First Day Air date: Sep 28, 2016 Hours after the attack on the Capitol, President Kirkman steps into his new role as commander-in-chief. In the midst of the chaos and confusion of the situation that threatens to tear the country apart, he's also faced with dangerous challenges and adversaries, in addition to the shocking news that he wasn't the only designated survivor. More 3 The Confession Air date: Oct 5, 2016 The FBI's investigation into the Capitol bombing continues, with Agent Hannah Wells starting to develop her own theories as to who's responsible. Meanwhile, President Kirkman and his staff deal with a high-level security breach of the White House, which they try to keep secret as Tom prepares for his first TV interview as POTUS. More 4 The Enemy Air date: Oct 12, 2016 After learning who was behind the attack, Kirkman faces the prospect of war. -- (C) ABC More 5 The Mission Air date: Oct 26, 2016 President Kirkman attempts diplomacy with Algeria, but fails, forcing him to make a difficult decision that will define his years in the White House. Meanwhile, more secrets than answers are uncovered as Hannah continues her investigation into the Capitol bombing. More 6 The Interrogation Air date: Nov 9, 2016 Shots are fired at the White House during a Governors Summit; President Kirkman must regroup after his plans for electing a new Congress are thrown into turmoil; Agent Wells makes a shocking discovery while investigating the Capitol bombing. More 7 The Traitor Air date: Nov 16, 2016 President Kirkman negotiates a hostage exchange involving the CIA, the Russian government and an American track-and-field coach. Elsewhere, FBI Deputy Director Atwood worries for the safety of his family after he and Hannah uncover information about the Capitol bombing. More 8 The Results Air date: Nov 30, 2016 A national emergency forces Kirkman to consider canceling the election to vote for a new House of Representatives; at the same time, he also deals with fallout from a leaked report of Majid Nassar's death. More 9 The Blueprint Air date: Dec 7, 2016 President Kirkman deals with classified government documents being leaked online by a group that have taken refuge inside a foreign embassy that's beyond his reach. Meanwhile, Hannah is running out of time to prove MacLeish's involvement in the conspiracy before his confirmation as vice president. More 10 The Oath Air date: Dec 14, 2016 Shocking information related to the Capitol bombing case gives President Kirkman reason to suspect there could be a traitor in the White House, which he asks Emily to quietly investigate. Meanwhile, concerns are raised about Congressman MacLeish. More Show More Episodes Designated Survivor: Season 1 Videos 2:30 Designated Survivor: Season 1 Trailer View All Videos (1) Designated Survivor: Season 1 Photos View All Photos (132) Tv Season Info Season 1 of "Designated Survivor" begins with the lowly Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland), being told he's literally the only guy left to become president when a devastating explosion rips through the Capitol during the State of the Union. In the aftermath, President Kirkman teams up with Congresswoman Kimble Hookstraten (Virginia Madsen), the GOP's chosen designated survivor, to bring stability back to the country. He also makes Congressman Peter MacLeish (Ashley Zukerman), the lone survivor of the catastrophe, his new vice president. Meanwhile, the FBI desperately try to uncover how the attack was even possible, with Agent Hannah Wells (Maggie Q) and Deputy Director Jason Atwood (Malik Yoba) suspecting it was an inside job. Also starring Natascha McElhone and Kal Penn. Genre: Drama Network: Netflix Premiere Date: Sep 21, 2016 Creator: David Guggenheim Exec. Producers: Simon Kinberg, David Guggenheim, Kiefer Sutherland, Suzan Bymel, Amy B Harris, Paul McGuigan, Aditya Sood Cast Kiefer Sutherland as Tom Kirkman Natascha McElhone as Jessica Kirkman Adán Canto as Aaron Shore Italia Ricci as Emily Rhodes LaMonica Garrett as Mike Ritter Tanner Buchanan as Leo Kirkman Kal Penn as Seth Wheeler Maggie Q as Hannah Watts Virginia Madsen as Kimble Hookstraten Kevin McNally as Harris Cochrane Rob Morrow as Abe Leonard Mark Deklin as Senator Jack Bowman Malik Yoba as Jason Atwood McKenna Grace as Penny Kirkman Geoffrey Pierson as President Cornelius Moss Elizabeth Vargas as Herself Arjay Smith as Nolan Reed Diamond as John Forstell Alex Quijano as Lawrence Richard Bekins as President Richmond Elias Zarou as Ambassador Ahmed Fayad Peter Outerbridge as Charlie Langdon Rothaford Gray as Acting Defense Secretary Krista Morin as Acting FBI Director Show More Cast News & Interviews for Designated Survivor: Season 1 13 TV Shows You Should Binge-Watch This June 2017 Spring/Summer TV Premiere Dates People’s Choice 2017 Winners Announced View All Designated Survivor: Season 1 News Episodes 1 Pilot Air date: Sep 21, 2016 Tom Kirkman, a lower level United States Cabinet member, finds himself suddenly appointed president of the country after a catastrophic attack kills everyone above him in the line of succession in the series premiere of this dramatic thriller. More 2 The First Day Air date: Sep 28, 2016 Hours after the attack on the Capitol, President Kirkman steps into his new role as commander-in-chief. In the midst of the chaos and confusion of the situation that threatens to tear the country apart, he's also faced with dangerous challenges and adversaries, in addition to the shocking news that he wasn't the only designated survivor. More 3 The Confession Air date: Oct 5, 2016 The FBI's investigation into the Capitol bombing continues, with Agent Hannah Wells starting to develop her own theories as to who's responsible. Meanwhile, President Kirkman and his staff deal with a high-level security breach of the White House, which they try to keep secret as Tom prepares for his first TV interview as POTUS. More 4 The Enemy Air date: Oct 12, 2016 After learning who was behind the attack, Kirkman faces the prospect of war. -- (C) ABC More 5 The Mission Air date: Oct 26, 2016 President Kirkman attempts diplomacy with Algeria, but fails, forcing him to make a difficult decision that will define his years in the White House. Meanwhile, more secrets than answers are uncovered as Hannah continues her investigation into the Capitol bombing. More 6 The Interrogation Air date: Nov 9, 2016 Shots are fired at the White House during a Governors Summit; President Kirkman must regroup after his plans for electing a new Congress are thrown into turmoil; Agent Wells makes a shocking discovery while investigating the Capitol bombing. More 7 The Traitor Air date: Nov 16, 2016 President Kirkman negotiates a hostage exchange involving the CIA, the Russian government and an American track-and-field coach. Elsewhere, FBI Deputy Director Atwood worries for the safety of his family after he and Hannah uncover information about the Capitol bombing. More 8 The Results Air date: Nov 30, 2016 A national emergency forces Kirkman to consider canceling the election to vote for a new House of Representatives; at the same time, he also deals with fallout from a leaked report of Majid Nassar's death. More 9 The Blueprint Air date: Dec 7, 2016 President Kirkman deals with classified government documents being leaked online by a group that have taken refuge inside a foreign embassy that's beyond his reach. Meanwhile, Hannah is running out of time to prove MacLeish's involvement in the conspiracy before his confirmation as vice president. More 10 The Oath Air date: Dec 14, 2016 Shocking information related to the Capitol bombing case gives President Kirkman reason to suspect there could be a traitor in the White House, which he asks Emily to quietly investigate. Meanwhile, concerns are raised about Congressman MacLeish. More Show More Episodes Critic Reviews for Designated Survivor Season 1 All Critics (62) | Top Critics (30) | Fresh (54) | Rotten (8) Designated Survivor has got a dynamite premise, but the premiere episode flounders when it leaves the White House for the ruins of the Capitol... Aug 20, 2019 | Rating: B+ | Full Review… Vicki Hyman Newark Star-Ledger Top Critic Designated Survivor aims to have it all: the weight of "The West Wing," the addictive thrills of "House of Cards," and perhaps even the action of "24" (thanks, mainly, to vengeful Maggie Q). Aug 20, 2019 | Rating: B+ | Full Review… Ben Travers indieWire Top Critic Sure, it's a far-out premise, but the suspenseful pilot gets your adrenaline pumping and it's fun watching Sutherland navigate a role where he can't rely on snapping anyone's neck -- at least not yet. Sep 7, 2016 | Full Review… Chuck Barney San Jose Mercury News Top Critic This is so chilling a premise, it's not something many of us want to think about, especially in these troubling times, and that makes Designated Survivor both disturbing and riveting. Sep 21, 2016 | Rating: 3/4 | Full Review… Gail Pennington St. Louis Post-Dispatch Top Critic Overly familiar story beats and cardboard character cutouts in Wednesday's opener blunt the return of Jack Bauer 2.0. A hint of genuine promise, however, remains. Sep 21, 2016 | Rating: B- | Full Review… Verne Gay Newsday Top Critic The pilot is terrific, as it moves briskly through the horrific events that lead to Kirkland's ascension, featuring troubling images of the Capitol sending fire into the Washington, D.C., sky. Sep 20, 2016 | Full Review… Matthew Gilbert Boston Globe Top Critic A terrific pilot episode. Aug 20, 2019 | Full Review… Glenn Garvin Reason Online It looks like Sutherland has another winner on his hands. Aug 20, 2019 | Full Review… Rob Lowman Los Angeles Daily News While we'll certainly click on to the next episode... it's got a while to go to prove that it's as good as any number of US dramas relating to the White House. Jul 9, 2019 | Full Review… Conrad Quilty-Harper GQ Magazine [UK] [It] shows a lot of promise in several categories. Jun 27, 2018 | Full Review… Kory Fischer Black Girl Nerds If any actor knows firsthand what it means to step into big shoes, it's Sutherland... who has made himself really, really good, shining in everything from 24 to art movies by Lars von Trier. He's great here, too. May 17, 2018 | Full Review… John Powers NPR's Fresh Air [Keifer] Sutherland feels at home in this well-paced pilot - he's playing a different kind of hero than we've seen him play before, and it's exciting to see him take the reins here. Dec 20, 2017 | Full Review… Jade Budowski Decider View All Critic Reviews (62) Audience Reviews for Designated Survivor: Season 1 Jul 04, 2020 Loved it, not as good as 24, but Great. Action, drama, suspense....! John P May 28, 2020 The show is globalist tripe...oh the poor Muslims...oh the poor immigrants...what about the American working class that has been virtually ignored by both parties for decades... The early theme of the show had promise until it pushed open borders and it portrayed America as the dumping grounds for the world's immigrant problem. The enemy is at the gate and we must take care of our own... John K May 24, 2020 It's a show we watch to pass the time. It has an interesting premise, but it's a bit cheesy and unrealistic. Always love Keifer Sutherland as a president, though. Jennifer N Apr 20, 2020 another series taking one narrative and turning it into 20. Complete waste of time Keaton G Apr 08, 2020 Started out promising but went downhill fast. Gave up without finishing season one as the left wing propaganda was insulting to most of the audience. Still, the critics seam to like it. Says it all for me. Thomas P Apr 08, 2020 Started watching. Was okay enough to continue. Then the political bias set in and it was enough to make throw up in my mouth. Rick M Apr 02, 2020 Your 6th grade politics absolutely ruins what might have been a pretty good show. William M Jan 19, 2020 The early season political intrigue gives way to B-movie action filler, loads of questions, and a sense that the real story is lost in the ether. Started amazing, but interest waning towards the end of the MacLeish story line. The incredible story and exquisite main character development and relationships made each early episode a must watch and fully captivating. However, as the show moved away from the white house politics, the show lost a lot of appeal. The enemy characters are 2 dimensional. The final few episodes are rushed and uninteresting. Steven L Jan 07, 2020 Such a great first two thirds of a season of tv. Such a disappointing last third. Ethan J Oct 29, 2019 I like the new season on Netflix however very disrespectful to speak other than English especially in the Whitehouse. My relatives had to speak English outside their home when they arrived in America. They were free to speak their language in the confines of their home. I find it very offensive when I cannot understand what they say and I am tired of the United States giving handouts while I work hard and have to pay for medical Mimi C See all Audience reviews News & Features 200 Erotic Movies Coming attractions for you 2020's Most Anticipated Movies What and when to watch Video Game Movies Ranked 43 ranked worst to best Best Netflix Series and Shows What to watch right now More News & Features TOP HEADLINES All Upcoming Disney Movies: New Disney Live-Action, Animation, Pixar, Marvel, and More – Rotten Tomatoes The Best Quibi Shows to Stream Now – Rotten Tomatoes The 64 Most Anticipated Movies of 2020 – Rotten Tomatoes Sundance 2020 Movie Scorecard – Rotten Tomatoes Everything We Know About The Lord of the Rings Amazon Series – Rotten Tomatoes 2019 Rotten Movies We Love – Rotten Tomatoes The 50 Most Anticipated Movies of 2021 – Rotten Tomatoes 100 Fresh Movies You Can Watch for Free Online Right Now – Rotten Tomatoes More Headlines View All Results Go back More trailers