Netflix Rescues 'Designated Survivor'
by EG
After ABC cancelled Designated Survivor at the end of the series' second season, the future looked bleak. Netflix came to the rescue, however, and now we know that a third season will happen. Read on for details.
Via Deadline.
After very lengthy negotiations, Entertainment One has closed a deal with Netflix for a 10-episode Season 3 order to Designated Survivor, which will become a global Netflix original.
The Kiefer Sutherland-starring series will have a new showrunner, Law & Order: SVU alum Neal Baer, who had been tapped for the job last spring before ABC made the decision in May not to renew the political thriller. He is the series’ fifth showrunner. He and Sutherland are said to have hit it off and had been discussing the Season 3 creative direction while talks with Netflix were going on, with excitement among the show’s producers about what a premium version of the broadcast drama may look like.
The core cast of the series, including Sutherland, Kal Penn, Adan Canto and Italia Ricci, are set to return, with Maggie Q in talks to join them. Production on Season 3 is set to begin later this year for a 2019 premiere.
In Season 3, President Kirkman (Sutherland) will face a political reality… campaigning. What does it take to make a leader? What price will he be willing to pay? This season will explore today’s world of campaigning, smear tactics, debates, campaign finance and “fake news.” Democracy, as we know it, will hang in the balance.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to play President Kirkman for season 3 of ‘Designated Survivor’ with Netflix, eOne and Neal Baer,” Sutherland said. “I believe this format will allow us to continue to delve deeply into storylines and issues concerning the American electorate that were not previously possible.”
Get the rest of the story at Deadline.
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