‘Designated Survivor’ Has Undergone Many Behind The Scenes Changes
New series “Designated Survivor” launched on ABC with a great start. After the Presidential Elections and Thanksgiving, the Kiefer Sutherland-fronted freshman drama has since cooled off in its ratings and media buzz. Although the show still does well in terms of ratings, what many viewers don’t know is that a lot of behind the scene changes and alterations have taken place.
For starters, when “Designated Survivor” was first created by David Guggenheim, the showrunning duties were assigned to “The Carrie Diaries” creator Amy B. Harris. Once the series was picked up, Harris was replaced by Jon Harmon Feldman. Now, the political drama has changed its showrunner again. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Jeff Melvoin has replaced Feldman.
“Designated Survivor” is also a difficult show to produce logistically. The series is shot in Toronto, Canada, the writers sit in Los Angeles and creator Guggenheim resides in New York. Sutherland is the executive producer on the show and signs off on the script, but it still takes a lot of coordinating to make each episode.
Nevertheless, “Designated Survivor” got a full-season pickup order by ABC. Which means, it’s here to stay. What has also helped it do well in terms of ratings is the fact that ABC has inked a multiple-season deal with streaming service Netflix. Which means that although it is difficult to produce the show, the ratings and the international deal will likely sweeten the case for a renewal. Also, having Sutherland as the lead star certainly helps.
“Designated Survivor” tells the story of Tom Kirkman (Sutherland) – a low-ranking Secretary of Housing and Urban Development who becomes the President after the Capitol is bombed during the State of Union address. All cabinet members are dead and this leads to Kirkman, who is the designated survivor, stepping up to become the country’s Commander-in-chief.
“Designated Survivor” Season 1 airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. EST on ABC.
“Designated Survivor” has changed showrunners twice. The ABC series airs Wednesday nights at 10 p.m. EST. Photo: ABC/Ian Watson
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