Home > Designated Survivor > Season 1 « TV Series Page Designated Survivor: Season 1 (2016 - 2017) SEASON: Season 1 Season 1 Season 2 Episode List All Critics | Top Critics TOMATOMETER 86% Average Rating: 6.98/10 Season Reviews: 56 Fresh: 48 Rotten: 8 Critics Consensus: Kiefer Sutherland skillfully delivers the drama in Designated Survivor, a fast-paced, quickly engrossing escapist political action fantasy. 88% Average Rating: 7.42/10 Season Reviews: 27 Fresh: 24 Rotten: 3 Critics Consensus: No consensus yet. Critic Consensus: Kiefer Sutherland skillfully delivers the drama in Designated Survivor, a fast-paced, quickly engrossing escapist political action fantasy. AUDIENCE SCORE 78% liked it Average Rating: 4/5 User Ratings: 1318 ADD YOUR RATING - NOT INTERESTED + WANT TO SEE Share on Facebook Post Want to See Not Interested Add Rating My Rating × Want to See Not Interested Post Share on Facebook 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 (131) 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 2017 Spring/Summer TV Premiere Dates People’s Choice 2017 Winners Announced People’s Choice 2017: Vote Now for Your Favorite Movies, TV Shows and More 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 (56) | Top Critics (27) | Fresh (48) | Rotten (8) Happily, there's not a skerrick of Jack Bauer on display. Oct 21, 2016 | Full Review… Wenlei Ma News.com.au 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 The best new show on ABC illustrates how much star power can still carry a program. Sep 20, 2016 | Full Review… Brian Tallerico RogerEbert.com Top Critic [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 The Designated Survivor pilot moves forward at a quick pace, and Kiefer Sutherland succeeds in carrying the drama. Sep 19, 2016 | Rating: 4/5 | Full Review… Laura Hurley CinemaBlend View All Critic Reviews (56) Audience Reviews for Designated Survivor: Season 1 ½ Fresh and exciting, Designated Survivor is a riveting political thriller that delivers an impressive (though a little uneven) first season. When terrorists bomb the Capital during the State of the Union Address, killing the President and Congress, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Thomas Kirkman is thrust into the presidency and must rebuild the government and find those responsible for the attack. Starring Kiefer Sutherland, Natascha McElhone, Kal Penn, and Maggie Q, the show features an incredibly strong cast. And, the writers do a good job at addressing the realities of rebuilding the government and at having an inexperienced politician suddenly assume high office. But unfortunately the show changes directions mid-season, replacing the showrunner due to "creative differences," and becomes more of a left-leaning political drama. Still, the characters are compelling and there’s a fair amount of intrigue to the terrorist hunt (which is reduced almost to a minor subplot in the final third of the season). While it clearly has problems deciding what direction to take the show in, Season 1 of Designated Survivor is entertaining and full of suspense. DannM Super Reviewer The premise is pretty terrible, which doesn't save the series from a bunch of unlikable characters and ridiculous plot that goes no where SylvesterK Super Reviewer View All News & Features 150 Erotic Movies Ranked worst to best! 2019's Most Anticipated 63 movies coming up this year 200 Essential Movies Chosen by RT staff! 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