Let’s cut to the chase: Designated Survivor is back, and this time it’s not going anywhere. After ABC decided to part ways with the show at the end of season two, Netflix swooped in like a superhero in tights and saved the day. They didn’t just save it—they’re giving us a whole new season. That’s right, folks, starting this fall, you’ll be able to binge-watch the first two seasons on Netflix, and then get ready for fresh episodes in season three.

The Story Behind Designated Survivor

Now, if you’re new to the world of Designated Survivor, here’s the lowdown: Imagine the State of the Union address. Picture the entire line of presidential succession in one room. Now, imagine a catastrophic terrorist attack that wipes out everyone in that room—except one guy. That guy is Thomas Kirkman, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development, played by none other than Kiefer Sutherland. Suddenly, this reluctant hero finds himself thrust into the Oval Office, tasked with picking up the pieces of a shattered nation while dealing with challenges both internal and external.

What’s Coming in Season Three?

In the upcoming season, President Kirkman isn’t just trying to keep the country together; he’s diving headfirst into the messy world of politics. Netflix promises a deep dive into the heart of modern campaigning—smear tactics, debates, campaign finance, and even the infamous "fake news." The question on everyone’s mind: What does it take to make a leader? And more importantly, what price will Kirkman be willing to pay to stay in office? As the show’s creators put it, "Democracy as we know it will hang in the balance." It’s going to be a wild ride.

Read also:
Peaches Goes To Logging Camp A Unique Adventure You Wonrsquot Forget

Kiefer Sutherland’s Excitement

Kiefer Sutherland, the man behind the character of President Kirkman, is thrilled about the show’s revival. “I am beyond excited to continue my journey as President Kirkman for Designated Survivor season three with Netflix, eOne, and Neal Baer,” he said in a statement. “This new platform will give us the freedom to explore deeper storylines and issues that resonate with the American electorate in ways we couldn’t before.” It’s clear that Sutherland isn’t just along for the ride—he’s invested in telling stories that matter.

A Look Back: The Real-World Parallels

During a panel discussion last season, Kiefer opened up about how eerily similar the events of Designated Survivor can be to real-life happenings. He shared a story about his experience working on 24, saying, “We shot seven months of 24 before 9/11 happened. The following year, we decided to tackle domestic terrorism. By the time the third episode aired, they had caught a guy trying to smuggle Sarin gas into the country through Vancouver. It was surreal—like we were predicting the future.”

He went on to explain how this pattern continued with Designated Survivor. “We wrote and shot a lot of this stuff before anything happened in the real world. It’s important to remember that we’re creating a fantastical world, a place where we can have discussions and tell stories. While it’s fascinating when real-world events mirror our show, we can’t let that overshadow the fact that we’re here to entertain and provoke thought. Watching the news these days feels like waiting for a crash in a NASCAR race—it’s intense, but it’s not something I actively try to incorporate into our storytelling.”