Netflix enthusiasts have been urged to give a ‘perfect political thriller’ a go, with the show branded as an intense blend of West Wing, House of Cards, and 24.
Designated Survivor made its Netflix debut in 2019, immediately gripping viewers and generating two follow-up series before it concluded.
Although it has finished, fans still maintain it’s a must-watch, one of Netflix’s underrated pearls that should’ve had a longer run, the Mirror reports.
Kiefer Sutherland is a standout in the role of Thomas Kirkman, a sincere but fairly understated politician thrust into chaos when disaster strikes.
The thrilling narrative begins: “When a mysterious attack kills the president and wipes out everybody in the line of succession, Thomas Kirkman, a lowly cabinet minister, is forced to rise to the occasion as the designated survivor.”
Garnering a strong 87% rating on Rotten Tomatoes for its premier season, the show’s later instalments did see a slight fall beneath the coveted 70% mark.
Early critic reviews were promising; an IndieWire reviewer praised the show as a concoction of leading political dramas: “Designated Survivor aims to have it all: the weight of The West Wing, the addictive thrills of House of Cards, and perhaps even the action of 24.”
Moreover, a fan expressed excitement over Sutherland’s performance, taking to the internet to share: “Sutherland feels at home in this well-paced pilot – he’s playing a different kind of hero than we’ve seen him play before, and it’s exciting to see him take the reins here.”
Fans of the show are heaping praise on the fresh spin on a classic hero character, but also can’t get enough of the series as a whole. One fan raved: “Loved the premise of the show, an inside-plot to take over the US government. As soon as I read the description I started watching. Loved the first several episodes.”
Another enthusiast hailed the series as the ultimate form of entertainment, saying: “A perfect political thriller with a perfect drama twist and plot! Characters are well shaped, script is well crafted, brilliant soundtrack and the premise is just real.”
For some viewers, Designated Survivor has earned its place among the all-time TV greats.
One glowing review stood out: “My favourite TV series of all time is Homeland, followed by Billions. My son said I would like Designated Survivor and he was so right, it is up there right at the top.
“Despite the storyline being fiction, it acts out like a true, believable story with real atmosphere and superb acting.”
The reviewer continued: “Clearly the series was not done on the cheap, the sets are perfect, the atmosphere is real, I can’t fault it. Kiefer Sutherland plays the lead role with style and purpose.
“Make no mistake this is a stylish production of the highest order, and perhaps shows a telling insight into the day to day running of the White House. Ten out of ten, no doubts! “.