Designated Survivor

Designated Survivor entered a new creative chapter when Neal Baer took the reins for its third season on Netflix. As showrunner, he shifted the political thriller into sharper, more contemporary territory, tackling biosecurity, domestic extremism, public trust, and the politics of health in ways that reflected his long-standing commitment to socially responsive storytelling. Baer guided the series toward a more character-driven, ethically charged narrative, using the presidency of Tom Kirkman as a lens for exploring how leaders make decisions under scientific uncertainty, political pressure, and public scrutiny. His season grounded the show’s conspiratorial DNA in real-world policy stakes, bringing renewed relevance and urgency to the franchise.