Add another name to the list of shows supposedly cancelled and sent off into reruns that have subsequently been saved and find themselves moving on to pastures new. The likes of network-jumping Brooklyn-Nine-Nine, The Expanse and Lucifer can now add Designated Survivor to their ranks. The political/action show actually launched in 2016 and set up its remit of a lowly political figure Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland) taking on the mantle of the American Presidency when almost all the senior members of the government are wiped out in a terrorist attack. The show initially balanced the political aspects of a West Wing type scenario with the conspiracy angle as the real culprits behind the atrocity were hunted. In the second season, the scale was more on political intrigue rather than Jack-Bauer intrigue, though elements remained. There had been a significant turnover in show-runners during its time on air and when the show wasn’t renewed at the end of that second run, there was disappointment rather than huge surprise from the viewing public.
Now Netflix have stepped in to guarantee a third season which will run to ten episodes and with yet another new showrunner in charge, Neal Baer (Law & Order: SVU). There was some complications because though Designated Survivor, broadcast on ABC in the United States, was seen internationally on Netflix but the rerun rights were owned by Netflix rival hulu. An agreement has now been reached so that Designated Survivor‘s previous seasons will move to Netflix shortly and the new run will start later in 2019.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to play President Kirkman for season 3 of Designated Survivor with Netflix, eOne and Neal Baer,” Sutherland said in a statement. “I believe this format will allow us to continue to delve deeply into storylines and issues concerning the American electorate that were not previously possible.”
The previous season finale included tsunamis, resignations, threats of impeachment and murder. It’s said that the new season will deal with Kirkman running as an ‘independent candidate’ in new elections and the questionable tactics utilised by both politicians and the media. Whodathunkit?
