The third and final season of the American political drama series Designated Survivor was ordered on September 5, 2018. Netflix reached a deal with Entertainment One to pick up the series after its cancellation from ABC. The third season, consisting of 10 episodes, premiered exclusively on Netflix on June 7, 2019.
Premise United States President Kirkman faces the political reality of campaigning as well as the tribulations of political advertising tactics used by the opposition. The season follows the President's fight to secure the interest of the public opinion and ultimately, the chances of his administration being elected for another term.
Cast and characters
Main Kiefer Sutherland as President Thomas "Tom" Kirkman Adan Canto as National Security Advisor and later Vice President-elect Aaron Shore Italia Ricci as White House Special Advisor and campaign spokesperson Emily Rhodes Kal Penn as White House Press Secretary and White House Communications Director Seth Wright Maggie Q as Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Case Officer Hannah Wells
Recurring Anthony Edwards as White House Chief of Staff Mars Harper Julie White as Kirkman's campaign manager Lorraine Zimmer Elena Tovar as White House Director of Social Innovation Isabel Pardo Lauren Holly as Lynn Harper Mars' wife Benjamin Charles Watson as White House Digital Officer Dontae Evans Jamie Clayton as Sasha Booker Kirkman's transgender sister in law Mckenna Grace as Penelope "Penny" Kirkman Chukwudi Iwuji as Dr. Eli Mays Geoff Pierson as Republican Presidential nominee Cornelius Moss Eltony Williams as Agent Troy Baye Jennifer Wigmore as CIA Deputy Director Dianne Lewis Wendy Lyon as Carrie Rhodes, Emily's mother
Guest Tim Busfield as Dr. Adam Louden Aunjanue Ellis as Vice President Ellenor Darby Jake Foy as Felix Rose Tuong as Kimiko Kent Sheridan as Senator Carlin Thomas Olajide as Mike Carter Aaron Ashmore as Phil Brunton James Cade as Myles Lee Percy Harris as Reggie Wood Karen Parker as Cheryl Jones Aniko Kaszas as Elizabeth Turner Erik Knudsen as Davis Marlowe Al Sapienza as General Nathan Kellogg
Episodes
Production Development On May 11, 2018, ABC canceled the series after two seasons due to a high turnover of showrunners and declining ratings. Shortly after, eOne announced they were in "active discussions" with other networks to revive the show, including Netflix, which streams the series internationally. On September 5, 2018, it was confirmed that Netflix had picked up the series for a third season of 10 episodes, to be released in 2019. Neal Baer served as the series showrunner, the fifth person to do so. On April 24, 2019, it was announced that the third season would premiere on Netflix on June 7, 2019.
The first two seasons were produced by ABC Studios, The Mark Gordon Company, and eOne, with filming in Toronto, Ontario. For the third season, it was announced that ABC Studios would not be involved, with eOne (which had fully acquired the Mark Gordon Company) being the sole production company for the series.
Casting After the third season renewal announcement, the producers confirmed that Kiefer Sutherland, Adan Canto, Italia Ricci, Kal Penn and Maggie Q would return as series regulars. On October 18, 2018, casting of Anthony Edwards, Julie White and Elena Tovar in the recurring roles of Mars Harper, Lorraine Zimmer and Isabel Pardo respectively were announced. On November 15, 2018, Lauren Holly and Benjamin Watson were cast in recurring roles as Lynn Harper and Dontae Evans, respectively.
Filming
Filming for the third season started in October 2018 and ended in February 2019.
References
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