Designated Survivor’s return date for season 2 on ABC has been revealed to be Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2018 at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
According to Deadline, we’ll be seeing President Kirkman again on Designated Survivor at the end of February next year. On Feb. 28, 2018, the show will resume its epic second season on ABC with episode 11. There’s set to be 22 episodes for the season, one more episode than its inaugural first season, which had 21.
Without giving away any spoilers, one of the major changes for the second part of the season will be new cast member Kim Raver. Raver, who previously played Jack Bauer’s love interest Audrey Raines on 24, has joined the cast of Designated Survivor as character Andrea Frost. We’ll find out in the second half of the season if she’ll be rekindling the on-screen chemistry with Sutherland’s President Kirkman, or if her role is completely unrelated to that of a potential love interest. Perhaps she ends up being a thorn to his side.
Actor Breckin Meyer has also signed on to play President Kirkman’s younger brother on Designated Survivor. It’s sure to change the dynamic of the show, as we’ve already seen what presence/damage Seth Wright’s brother did with just one appearance. Unlike the press secretary’s brother, however, Meyer’s role is said to be a recurring one.
We’ve already seen actor Paulo Costanzo fit right in with the cast as character Lyor Boone, adding a certain fun light-heartedness to the series. It’ll be interesting to see if the former Franklin & Bash star impacts the series in a similar manner.
Designated Survivor TV Ratings
According to TVbythenumbers, Designated Survivor’s midseason winter finale saw a rating of 4.39 million viewers live, not including DVR/on-demand/Hulu watchers. Total viewers have not been released yet. However, season 1’s 10th episode, “The Oath”, scored a 6.17 rating with 12.36 total viewers.
It can be concluded then that Designated Survivor’s television ratings did flutter down slightly midway through season 2. Hopefully, ratings will pick up when the series returns next February. The series has limitless potential, and every episode counts toward the bottom line of its future. We’ll be looking forward to see what the writers have in store President Kirkman, FBI Agent Hannah Wells, and the whole Kirkman administration for the return of Designated Survivor next year.