Designated Survivor – Netflix
Designated Survivor was revived by Netflix for season 3 but it appears that it wasn’t able to put together a season 4 despite ending with a massive cliffhanger. Therefore Designated Survivor has been canceled.
Let’s quickly recap and introduce the show if you’re not familiar. The show led by Kiefer Sutherland is a political drama which sees Tom Kirkman become President of the United States after a bomb hits Capitol Hill during the state of the union. Throughout the course of three seasons, the show has transitioned into a more of a traditional political show akin to the likes of Madam Secretary or House of Cards.
The transition to Netflix hasn’t been super smooth with some criticizing the shows new freedom to use profanity and introduce more mature subjects that were perhaps not best suited for network television. The creators and producers have praised their collaboration with Netflix saying it has given them new freedoms.
Since it’s Netflix release, it’s regularly featured in the top 10’s in the UK as well as remaining in the trending now section.
Has Designated Survivor been renewed for season 4 at Netflix?
Official renewal status: officially canceled (last updated: 07/24/2019)
The show has been officially canceled at Netflix after only one additional season at Netflix.
It doesn’t look like Netflix canceled the show because of bad ratings but rather the complicated contract arrangements. It’s been reported that Netflix only signed a one-year deal with eOne (the studio behind the show) and most actors have opted not to renew.
Just two weeks ago, a few cast members were optimistic about the show getting renewed. The show’s Twitter account went dark on July 4th.
Speaking recently Kiefer Sutherland who also serves as a producer on the show had the following to say:
We had an amazing experience with Netflix, and a kind of freedom that was wonderful – but the reality is, because the contracts were so complicated and different from network television to Netflix etc, they didn’t book a lot of the actors that were on the show, and they took other jobs, and I don’t blame them for a second for that.
Deadline reports that Kal Penn has already moved onto other projects and reaffirms that contract issues are likely the main reason behind the cancelation.
Don’t forget, South Korea has adapted the story has been releasing weekly episodes since July 1st, 2019. The new series pretty much a carbon copy of the premise and reviews have been strong so far.
Designated Survivor: 60 Days coming to Netflix on July 1st
What we wanted from Designated Survivor season 4
Although some argued the series faltered towards the middle of the season, it certainly ended on a bang and set up several plot points going forward.
Firstly, let’s start at the top level. President Kirkman won his election and lives to fight another four years in the Oval Office. However, with a potentially huge scandal now looming thanks to several unsavory ways Kirkman rose in the polls are less than ideal or moral. President Kirkman purposely chose to withhold information that would’ve exonerated Moss from the bio-attack attempts. Could we potentially have an impeachment in season 4?
Lorraine is likely now headed for jail for her involvement in an illegal hacking scandal and Emily may be on the line too. Her hands are certainly not clean given she leaked several pieces of confidential information throughout the campaign too. Emily is obviously still a little fragile given the dramatic and horrific loss of her mother.
Next up, Aaron Shores relationship with Isabella will be strained through season 4 with the revelation that she’s now pregnant.
On a happier note, Kall Penn’s Seth is likely going to have a better season with him hooking up with his sperm donor child’s Mom at the end of this season.
Did you want to see Designated Survivor return for season 4 on Netflix? Let us know in the comments.
