Kiefer Sutherland stars as President Tom Kirkman, with Natascha McElhone as First Lady Alex Kirkman and Adan Canto as Vice President-elect Aaron Shore in Designated Survivor.
Main cast
- President Tom KirkmanKiefer Sutherland1–3Main
- First Lady Alex KirkmanNatascha McElhone1–3Main
- Aaron ShoreAdan Canto1–3Main
- Hannah WellsMaggie Q1–3Main
- Seth WrightKal Penn1–3Main
- Emily RhodesItalia Ricci1–3Main
- Lyor BoonePaulo Costanzo2–3Main
- Mars HarperAnthony Edwards3Main
Supporting cast
- Mike RitterLaMonica Garrett1–2Supp
- Chuck RussinkJake Epstein1–3Supp
- Kendra DaynesZoe McLellan1–2Supp
- Jason AtwoodMackenzie Astin1Supp
- Trey KirkmanTanner Buchanan1Supp
- Leo KirkmanMckenna Grace1–2Supp
- Peter MacLeishAshley Zukerman1Supp
- General Harris CochraneKevin McNally1–3Supp
- Diane DaviesVirginia Madsen2Supp
Guest & voice
- President Cornelius MossGeoff Pierson1–2Guest
- Charles LangdonRaúl Esparza3Guest
- Lorraine ZimmerJulie White3Guest
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About this cast
Designated Survivor, which aired on BBC One in the UK, follows President Tom Kirkman, who is thrust into office after a devastating attack. The main cast includes Kiefer Sutherland, Natascha McElhone, and Adan Canto, alongside a talented supporting ensemble.
FAQs
Who plays President Tom Kirkman in Designated Survivor?
Kiefer Sutherland plays President Tom Kirkman.
How many seasons of Designated Survivor are there?
There are three seasons in total. Seasons 1 and 2 aired on ABC, and season 3 was released on Netflix. In the UK, all three seasons were available on BBC One and later on Netflix.
Is Designated Survivor based on a true story?
No, Designated Survivor is a fictional political thriller series. The concept of a ‘designated survivor’ is real — a US cabinet member kept in a secure location during a major event to ensure continuity of government — but the plot of the series is entirely fictional.
Why did Kal Penn join Designated Survivor?
Kal Penn joined the series as Seth Wright in season 1. He previously worked on House and also served as an Associate Director in the White House Office of Public Engagement under President Barack Obama, bringing real political insight to the role.
Who plays Aaron Shore in Designated Survivor?
Adan Canto plays Aaron Shore, the Vice President-elect who later becomes White House Chief of Staff.
Sources & where to watch: IMDb · Wikipedia · Where to watch (JustWatch UK) · Updated June 2026