It's official: Designated Survivor will be returning for a third season. The cancelled political drama has been revived by Netflix with a 10-episode order for next year. The surprise announcement comes after a prolonged negotiation effort between the streaming service and the show's Canadian-based production company, Entertainment One.
The Kiefer Sutherland-led series premiered in 2016 on ABC and was one of the network's best-performing new entries of the season, attracting a healthy audience and even picking up a Critics' Choice award. The initial interest didn't last long, though, as its numbers dipped in Season 2 after the show's main plot wrapped up. The decline in viewership resulted in its eventual cancellation back in May.
When the series returns on Netflix in 2019, look for the plot to pick up where it left off, with President Kirkman campaigning for re-election. Along with Sutherland, key cast members Italia Ricci, Kal Penn, and Adan Canto are also set to return. One notable change going forward will be another new showrunner - its fifth overall. Replacing the departing Keith Eisner will be Neal Baer, who has done work on ER, Law & Order: SVU, and Under the Dome.
Designated Survivor is Sutherland's first return as a lead in a TV series since his career-reviving role as Jack Bauer in Fox's 24franchise. In the show he plays a Cabinet member who is unexpectedly thrust into the role of President of the United States after a bombing at the Capitol kills a number of key government figures. After being sworn in as President, he starts to learn that the catastrophic attack was only the beginning of a much larger plan.
Netflix has picked up #DesignatedSurvivor for a 10-episode third season that will launch in 2019 and revolve around President Kirkman campaigning for re-election. pic.twitter.com/ShSPPuT5OU
— See What's Next (@seewhatsnext) September 5, 2018