Designated Survivor season 3: Five things we know so far
Below, we’ve got for you five super-handy pieces of info on what you really should know right now about season 3 — if you didn’t see our video reaction confirming the renewal at Netflix before now, you can also take a look at that below. If you like it, be sure to subscribe to CarterMatt on YouTube.
1. It will run for ten episodes – Why so few? Well, for starters, this is Netflix — they often prioritize quality over lengthy seasons. They don’t have the same 22-episode demands that ABC does, and that gives the writers a little bit more freedom to craft the story that they want. This is also a trial-run-of-sorts for Designated Survivor on Netflix, given that if it works, they can always renew it for more episodes down the line. This is a show that hasn’t even been on Netflix before now! They’re really taking out the dice and rolling them with this particular series.
2. It has another new showrunner – Neal Baer, whose credits include Law & Order: SVU and Under the Dome, is now helping to steer this ship. Designated Survivor has had so many showrunners since its inception you would think that it’s only a job contracted for a few months. The consistent narrative has always been one of its struggles, so hopefully, the presence of Baer can stabilize that and if there’s a season 4 renewal, maybe he sticks around.
3. Filming is already done – The cast made the trip up to the wintry north (a.k.a. Toronto), where they actually filmed at the same set previously used for Shadowhunters. Since it is only a ten-episode season, filming doesn’t take anywhere near as long.
4. What to know about the cast – Many of your favorites from the first three seasons are back — though their long-term future is not abundantly clear. Because Designated Survivor was revived following its cancellation and the actor contracts expiring, not everyone is on the same deals they once were. Kal Penn, for example, only has a one-year deal. He also has a new pilot that could be ordered to series. If there is a season 4, it’s possible that some cast members could have reduced roles, but it’s possibly too early to speculate with the “is this person leaving the show?” talk.
As for new additions, ER alum Anthony Edwards will be playing Mars Harper, the new Chief of Staff for President Kirkman. Meanwhile, Julie White will be appearing as the new campaign manager Lorraine Zimmer — someone with zero experience running a campaign like this buy a ton of ambition as to how to properly take it on. Sound exciting to anyone else?
5. When could the series return? – There is no firm release date for Netflix yet, but the fairest assumption to make here is the summer. There’s no obvious reason to hurry it along, and we think it does benefit Designated Survivor greatly to avoid airing within the main TV season at all costs. We want it to stand out! We want it to be remembered! There’s no real merit that comes with the show getting lost within the sea of May sweeps.
We’d anticipate a more precise premiere-date announcement at some point during the spring.
For some other updates…
Be sure to check out the link here! While this may conclude some of the basic stuff we know about Designated Survivor season 3, there’s going to be so much more down the road.
What do you most want to see on Designated Survivor season 3, and are you happy that this show is still a part of the TV universe? Sound off in the comments. (Photo: Netflix.)