Kiefer Sutherland will return to television with ABC’s “Designated Survivor,” a political conspiracy thriller in which he will play the President. Though Variety reported last year that “Designated Survivor” landed a straight-to-series order, ABC confirmed for the first time today that the series has officially been picked up with an initial order of 13 episodes.
“Designated Survivor” is set to premiere this fall. Amy B. Harris, who was originally set as showrunner on the series, has departed and the search for a new showrunner is underway.
In the first teaser, released Friday by ABC, Sutherland is back in action as leading man. The “24” alum plays Tom Kirkman, a lower cabinet member who unexpectedly becomes president after a devastating attack on Washington. He will struggle to prevent the country and his own family from falling into chaos, as he is thrust into one of the most difficult presidencies in history.
“I do solemnly swear that I will faithfully execute the office of the President of the United States — so help me God,” Sutherland says in the trailer below. (See above for the first look at official character art).
Along with Sutherland, “Designated Survivor” stars Natascha McElhone, Maggie Q, Kal Penn, Adan Canto, Italia Ricci, LaMonica Garrett and Tanner Buchanan. The Mark Gordon Company and ABC Studios is behind “Designated Survivor” with creator David Guggenheim exec producing with Simon Kinberg who developed the show with Guggenheim. Mark Gordon, Nick Pepper, Suzan Bymel, Aditya Sood and Sutherland are also exec producers. Paul McGuigan directed the first episode.
Sutherland’ is gearing up for a busy 2016-2017 season. Though he has no on-screen role at this point, he is attached to Fox’s “24” spinoff “24: Legacy” as an exec producer.
