Why Designated Survivor is the US political drama everyone should watch?

It is the election fever in the United States and the US presidential polls 2024 are getting exciting with each passing day. Nikki Haley has opted out of Republican presidential candidate race and it is more or less a Joe Biden vs Donald Trump showdown on November 5.

As a journalist, it is expected that you must be knowing about the world around you. As someone who has been extensively writing on politics in India since 2012, I am equally interested in what’s happening in the US, a country whose political system is really interesting. If you have seen my bio on this blog, I am equally fond of binge watching shows on OTT platforms including Netflix, Amazon Prime and others.

Amid the buzz around US presidential elections heats up, I would like to share with you folks an interesting show on Netflix that I watched at the peak of Covid-19 pandemic. I have watched several political shows including House of Cards, Madam Secretary, The Diplomat, but for me Designated Survivor stood out.

Designated Survivor: All you need to know

If you are unaware, the term ‘Designated Survivor’ does exist. As the term means, he/she is chosen to take oath as the President of the United States in the event of a catastrophic event at the Capitol. According to a TIME report, the practice of naming a Designated Survivor dates back to the Cold War due to fears of a nuclear strike from the then Soviet Union.

US President Joe Biden delivered his State of Union address on March 8, 2024. On this occasion, education secretary Miguel Cardona was chosen as the designated survivor and sat out of the address that took place at the Capitol.

Designated Survivor: Where to watch, cast & crew

Designated Survivor was first premiered on ABC in 2016 and later on Netflix. The show comprises three seasons and can be watched on this OTT platform. The series revolves around Tom Kirkman, a secretary of housing and urban development, who has to take oath as the President of United States after a catastrophic attack during the State of Union address at Capitol kills everyone above him in the line of succession. What follows is Kirkman’s stint as the president who deals with numerous challenges at the White House.

Kiefer Sutherland, who featured in movies like The Bay Boy, Young Guns, Flashback and others, plays the titular role of Tom Kirkman. The other notable actors include Natascha McElhone, late Adan Canto, Italia Ricci, Kal Penn and Maggie Q among others.

Why should you watch Designated Survivor?

When I watched this show, I did not know much about how the US political system works. But after watching the three seasons, I am in a position to talk a thing or two about the challenges faced by a US president. The show delivered on the hype and some brilliant performances by the actors make it a watchable experience.

The federal system, working relationship between the President and Vice-President, immigrants issue, day-to-day functioning of White House and several other subjects are explained in detail.