Fall TV season is going to get more political with the return of Kiefer Sutherland on network television. The actor is set to play the president in the upcoming action and drama series, "Designated Survivor." The show's theme has called likened to other political dramas like "House of Cards," "Homeland" and Sutherland's former show, "24."
Kiefer Sutherland is the reluctant president, Tom Kirkland, in the show, which debuts on ABC on Wednesday, Sept. 21. The character is a cabinet member who assumes the presidency on "Designated Survivor" as a matter of succession. A terrorist attack killed most of the top leaders of the United States and Kirkland was assigned to be the new leader in case such a situation happened.
This cast has our vote. #DesignatedSurvivor premieres September 21! pic.twitter.com/hmTYSo07kk
— Designated Survivor (@ABCDesignated) August 4, 2016
"It looks at what happens when overnight you go from a very structured life to being the most powerful man," Kiefer Sutherland said of his new TV show, per Fox Entertainment. The actor also described that his character is the type of president who uses common sense and is not in it for the political gain. He takes points from Franklin D. Roosevelt's (FDR) leadership in playing Tom Kirkland, but noted some "twist and turns" to the characterization.
Despite being a political drama, "Designated Survivor" is also pretty much a story about family. Kiefer Sutherland is joined by Natascha McElhone as his wife and the First Lady in the series. Producers confirm that the wife and kids will be highlighted in the story as well and it won't entirely focus on a terrorism storyline, per TV Guide.
"Designated Survivor" is set for 13 episodes for the first season only, but the cast and crew are prepared to do more should ABC decide to do so. It has been touted as one of the most anticipated new series in the upcoming TV season this fall. Watch a preview of "Designated Survivor" below.
