Designated Survivor

During the State of Union Address, one lower level cabinet member is chosen to be what is called the designated survivor in case of an attack on the government. Kiefer Sutherland returns to the small screen as the title character in the new hit series Designated Survivor. As the premise, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Tom Kirkman played by Sutherland becomes the President of the United States after a devastating attack that eliminates all three branches of government. Kirkman is an altruist who struggles with the ferocity of Washington. Sutherland commands this character with the grace of an experienced actor. It is an honor to have him back after his last major television role as Jack Bauer in 24, which saw it’s last episode in 2010 and a brief revival in 2014. Many presumed this new show would go one of two ways. The crime thriller investigating the terror attack, somewhat akin to HBO’s Homeland, or the political drama detailing the effects on the nation of becoming the President from such circumstances. This show claims the best of both worlds. The show also marks the return of comedy actor Kal Penn, as President Kirkman’s speechwriter and Press Secretary, and familiar crime thriller leading woman Maggie Q, as the FBI investigator. What many people don’t know about Penn is that worked within the Obama administration as the Associate Director of the Office of Public Liaison. The presence of these two actors represents the two worlds this show occupies. FBI investigative plotlines have found massive success for ABC in other series such as Quantico. The immediate thrill of the investigation provides much needed intensity to the show. However, such thrills take a backseat to the subtle drama of political exploits in such dire times. Clearly, this show guarantees both thrills and drama and we expect it to live a long life.