Designated Survivor poster

TV series

Designated Survivor

2016TV-PG3 seasons7.1 / 10

Declare your independence

Tom Kirkman, a low-level cabinet member is suddenly appointed President of the United States after a catastrophic attack during the State of the Union kills everyone above him in the Presidential line of succession.

Streaming, rental and purchase options

Where to watch in United States

Checked Jul 22, 2026

Designated Survivor is available to stream on Netflix in United States. You can also buy it from Amazon, Apple TV, and Fandango at Home. Use the direct links below to open the provider.

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Synopsis

Tom Kirkman, a low-level cabinet member is suddenly appointed President of the United States after a catastrophic attack during the State of the Union kills everyone above him in the Presidential line of succession.

Season 2 episodes

Choose an episode, then use the watch options above for the show.

← Season 1

Episode 1

One Year In

42m6.5 / 10

Now, one year into office, Kirkman is a Commander-in-Chief determined to rebuild the Capitol and capture the terrorists behind the catastrophic attack on the United States. When Ukrainian nationalists hijack a Russian Air flight, the president is faced with a hostage situation in which his diplomatic skills are put to the test.

Episode credits

Directed by Chris GrismerWritten by Keith EisnerGuest stars Jake Epstein, Chris Butler, Arye Gross, Terry Serpico

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Episode 2

Sting of the Tail

42m6.8 / 10

FBI Agent Hannah Wells finally closes in on Patrick Lloyd, but when the president decides to take action during the White House Correspondents Dinner, members of the Homeland Security Council threaten to derail their plans.

Episode credits

Directed by Frederick E. O. ToyeWritten by Keith EisnerGuest stars Bo Martynowska, Reed Diamond, Jake Epstein, Terry Serpico, Mckenna Grace, Zoe McLellan

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Episode 3

Outbreak

43m6.8 / 10

President Kirkman is faced with a viral pandemic that threatens to kill countless Americans. Hannah and Damian discover evidence that could change the lives of members of the first family forever.

Episode credits

Directed by Chris GrismerWritten by Ashley GableGuest stars Von Flores, Jake Epstein, Alicia Coppola, Richard de Klerk, Terry Serpico, Dillon Casey, Zoe McLellan, Kimberly-Sue Murray

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Episode 4

Equilibrium

41m6.6 / 10

Tensions rise between America and Mexico when a Mexican citizen is shot during a border dispute regarding Mexican trade imports. Kirkman and his staff must work quickly to resolve the situation and create a new trade deal.

Episode credits

Directed by Joe LazarovWritten by Paul Redford, Keith EisnerGuest stars Reed Diamond, Chris Butler, Dillon Casey, Mckenna Grace, Zoe McLellan

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Episode 5

Suckers

43m6.7 / 10

Kirkman tries to win back the people's trust after a senator appears on the national news and misrepresents a private conversation he had with the president. MI-6 agent Damian Rennett joins FBI agent Hannah Wells to solve an international murder.

Episode credits

Directed by Fred GerberWritten by Bill ChaisGuest stars Bo Martynowska, Cariba Heine, Reed Diamond, Jake Epstein, Christopher Cousins, Zoe McLellan

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Episode 6

Two Ships

44m6.5 / 10

When a U.S. Navy ship containing secret surveillance becomes stranded in enemy waters, President Kirkman must negotiate the crew and ship’s release. If captured, the technology on board would create a massive threat to national security. Meanwhile. Chief of Staff Emily Rhodes reconnects with someone from her childhood.

Episode credits

Directed by Leslie LibmanWritten by Jessica GraslGuest stars Cariba Heine, Jake Epstein, Brian McNamara, Gregory Smith, Geoff Pierson, Zoe McLellan

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Episode 7

Family Ties

42m6.0 / 10

When a Turkish activist ignites protests in the U.S., Turkey’s president demands his extradition while the first family unknowingly finds themselves in the center of a battle that could threaten Leo’s future.

Episode credits

Directed by Milan CheylovWritten by Pierluigi D. CothranGuest stars Tanner Buchanan, Bo Martynowska, Cariba Heine, Reed Diamond, Jake Epstein, Geoff Pierson, Nikki Roumel, Zoe McLellan

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Episode 8

Home

43m6.4 / 10

While on a secret mission to Afghanistan, President Kirkman meets with two infamous warlords and must determine whom he can trust to hand over territories to the U.S., while Seth has a run-in with Washington, D.C., police that puts his job, reputation and future in the White House on the line.

Episode credits

Directed by Ian ToyntonWritten by Patrick CunnaneGuest stars Bo Martynowska, Abhi Sinha, Jake Michaels, Sarah Power, Zoe McLellan, David Alexander Miller, Clark Backo

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Episode 9

Three-Letter Day

42m5.9 / 10

After sorting through thousands of letters all requesting something of president, the White House staff are assigned three, with Emily, Seth, Aaron, Llyor and Kendra joining forces to get answers and possibly save a life. Meanwhile, Hannah and Damian continue to chase down leads to exonerate the first lady, but in the end, Hannah learns the truth may be closer than she thinks.

Episode credits

Directed by Jeannot SzwarcWritten by Ashley Gable, Bill ChaisGuest stars Joanna Douglas, Reed Diamond, Jake Epstein, David Ferry, Phil Abrams, Beth Littleford, Zoe McLellan, Clark Backo

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Episode 10

Line of Fire

43m6.2 / 10mid season

It’s Christmas Day and President Kirkman is alerted to a group of religious extremists who refuse to evacuate when a forest fire threatens to engulf their cabin. Deploying Emily and Aaron to help diffuse the situation, Kirkman must act quickly to save multiple lives at stake. Meanwhile, the First Lady finally gives her testimony to the FBI director, while what happens next changes the lives of the Kirkman family forever.

Episode credits

Directed by Chris GrismerWritten by Keith EisnerGuest stars Reed Diamond, Jake Epstein, Kristoffer Polaha, Dillon Casey, Hannah Levinson, Zoe McLellan

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Episode 11

Grief

44m6.0 / 10

It’s been ten weeks since his wife, Alex, was killed in a car accident; and President Kirkman’s senior staff insist he seek professional help in dealing with his loss, forcing him to reluctantly see therapist Dr. Adam Louden. Meanwhile, FBI Agent Hannah Wells and Aaron Shore travel to Cuba as part of a trade delegation, but the trip does not go according to plan. With lives in the balance, Kirkman is challenged with a decision that will test his role as commander in chief during this time of personal tragedy.

Episode credits

Directed by Timothy BusfieldWritten by Keith EisnerGuest stars Tanner Buchanan, Jake Epstein, Chelsea Harris, Timothy Busfield, Mckenna Grace, Zoe McLellan, Jefferson Brown

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Episode 12

The Final Frontier

44m5.6 / 10

When a missile intended to bring water to stranded astronauts in space is hacked, President Kirkman must work with Russia and enlists the help of Dr. Andrea Frost to help save lives and find out who is behind the hack. Meanwhile, Hannah finds herself working with Damian again.

Episode credits

Directed by Sharat RajuWritten by Jeff MelvoinGuest stars Jake Epstein, Hiro Kanagawa, Wendy Davis, Kim Raver, Geoff Pierson, Mckenna Grace, Zoe McLellan

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Episode 13

Original Sin

42m5.6 / 10

When a video of the president visiting prison leaks to the media, his team works to minimize the fallout. A surprise White House demonstration has deeper ties to the president than anyone first realizes.

Episode credits

Directed by Bosede WilliamsWritten by Ashley GableGuest stars Tanner Buchanan, Jake Epstein, Forrest Goodluck, Breckin Meyer, Chelsea Harris, Nora Zehetner, Dillon Casey, Ari Cohen

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Episode 14

In the Dark

43m6.0 / 10

When a blackout threatens to shut down the government and causes chaos in the streets of Washington, D.C., President Kirkman joins forces with Mayor Ellenor Darby, but the partnership doesn’t end there.

Episode credits

Directed by Carol BankerWritten by Bill ChaisGuest stars Jake Epstein, Breckin Meyer, Chelsea Harris, Nora Zehetner, Jenny Raven, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Zoe McLellan

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Episode 15

Summit

42m6.0 / 10

As tensions between East and West Hun Chiu escalate, President Kirkman travels to Camp David to broker a peace treaty with the leaders of those countries. While back in Washington, D.C., Seth and Emily take a hard look at their relationship and decide how, and if, they will move forward as a couple.

Episode credits

Directed by Chris GrismerWritten by Jessica GraslGuest stars Jake Epstein, Freda Foh Shen, Tom Choi, Dan Jeannotte, Morgan Kelly, Daniel Jun, Geoff Pierson, Zoe McLellan

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Episode 16

Fallout

43m6.4 / 10

President Kirkman and his staff have credible intelligence that a dirty bomb is on U.S. soil, thrusting the president into a high-stakes effort to find the bomb and stop it from detonating. At the White House, Emily approaches Chuck to help her with something that has damaging and illegal consequences.

Episode credits

Directed by Joe LazarovWritten by Tom GarrigusGuest stars Reed Diamond, Jake Epstein, Tom Choi, Dan Jeannotte, Morgan Kelly, Kim Raver, Daniel Jun, Dillon Casey

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Episode 17

Overkill

43m6.2 / 10

Following the deadly bomb explosion inside a D.C. metro station, President Kirkman declares war on Kunami. When the emir of that country sends his ambassador to negotiate, FBI Agent Hannah Wells learns the emir is hiding something that could have deadly consequences.

Episode credits

Directed by Jeff ThomasWritten by Jeff Melvoin, Tracey RiceGuest stars Jake Epstein, Breckin Meyer, Chelsea Harris, Dan Jeannotte, Inga Cadranel, Dillon Casey, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Miguel Anthony

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Episode 18

Kirkman Agonistes

42m6.1 / 10

As more content from President Kirkman’s confidential therapy sessions continues to leak out, Vice President Darby meets secretly with the entire Cabinet, resulting in attorney Ethan West looking into the president’s past – while playing a large role in his future as commander in chief.

Episode credits

Directed by Leslie LibmanWritten by Pierluigi D. Cothran, Patrick CunnaneGuest stars Jake Epstein, Michael J. Fox, Breckin Meyer, Chelsea Harris, Nora Zehetner, Timothy Busfield, Albert Chung, Kim Raver

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Episode 19

Capacity

44m6.2 / 10

Attorney Ethan West calls on President Kirkman's closest advisors and staff as he begins his investigation.

Episode credits

Directed by David Warry-SmithWritten by Keith EisnerGuest stars Jake Epstein, Michael J. Fox, Zachary Bennett, Breckin Meyer, Chris Butler, Timothy Busfield, Kim Raver, Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor

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Episode 20

Bad Reception

43m6.0 / 10

President Kirkman negotiates with a foreign government to release an American held overseas, while attorney Ethan West continues his investigation.

Episode credits

Directed by Chris GrismerWritten by Tom Garrigus, Jessica GraslGuest stars Jake Epstein, Michael J. Fox, Chelsea Harris, Chris Butler, Jeff Kassel, Emily Coutts, Mike Shara, Tammy Isbell

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Episode 21

Target

43m5.9 / 10

White House Council Kendra Daynes finds herself in a dangerous situation that puts another White House staffer's life at risk, while Hannah Wells takes an unexpected trip for answers.

Episode credits

Directed by Timothy BusfieldWritten by Ashley Gable, Bill ChaisGuest stars Jake Epstein, Michael J. Fox, Zachary Bennett, Breckin Meyer, Gary Brennan, Presilah Nunez, Geoff Pierson, Zoe McLellan

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Episode 22

Run

43m5.4 / 10finale

As President Kirkman continues to deal with the turmoil surrounding the hacker and Congressional investigation, a natural disaster threatens the lives of two White House staffers. Meanwhile, Kirkman’s closest allies are surprised when the president makes an announcement no one saw coming.

Episode credits

Directed by Chris GrismerWritten by Keith EisnerGuest stars Tanner Buchanan, Taylor Blackwell, Jake Epstein, Michael J. Fox, Zachary Bennett, Bruce Davison, Robert B. Kennedy, Nora Zehetner

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Episode information updated Jul 23, 2026

More about Designated Survivor

Cast

Kiefer SutherlandTom Kirkman
Natascha McElhoneAlex Kirkman
Maggie QHannah Wells
Kal PennSeth Wright
Adan CantoAaron Shore
Italia RicciEmily Rhodes
LaMonica GarrettMike Ritter
Malik YobaJason Atwood

Credits

Created by
David Guggenheim
Written by
Keith Eisner, Paul Redford

Production details

Status
Canceled
Series type
Scripted
Episodes
53
Original language
English

Networks & production

  • ABCUnited States
  • Netflix
  • Genre FilmsUnited States
  • ABC StudiosUnited States
  • Entertainment 360United States

Themes

adoringaffectationappreciativebitingboldcomfortingcommandingcomplex