Designated Survivor Canceled AGAIN

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It's the end of the line for Designated Survivor. 

A year after saving the show following its cancellation from ABC, Netflix has swung the ax, confirming it will not be renewed for a fourth season. 

Campaign Trail  - Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 2

“We are proud to have offered fans a third season of Designated Survivor, and will continue to carry all three seasons for years to come,” reads a statement from Netflix.

Related: Designated Survivor Saved by Netflix

“We’re especially thankful to star and executive producer Kiefer Sutherland, who brought passion, dedication and an unforgettable performance as President Kirkman."

Personal Troubles - Tall - Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 2

"We’re also grateful to showrunner/executive producer Neal Bear for his guiding vision and steady hand, creator/executive producer David Guggenheim and EPs Mark Gordon, Suzan Bymel, Simon Kinberg, Aditya Sood and Peter Noah along with the cast and crew who crafted a compelling and satisfying final season.”

The cancellation isn't all that surprising.

It's no secret that the streamer has been canceling a lot of shows after their third seasons, but given that Netflix actively pursued a pickup for the series following the ABC cancellation means they had faith that it could succeed. 

Lorraine - Tall - Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 3

However, Netflix has never been all that open about ratings, so there's really no telling whether it managed to pull in a substantial crowd or if this is down to low ratings. 

Related: Santa Clarita Diet Canceled at Netflix

The final season on ABC averaged 3.9 million total viewers and a 0.7 rating, slipping as much as 40 percent in the demo vs. the freshman run. 

But the series has also had its fair share of creative issues. Amy B. Harris was originally attached as showrunner on the series, but she was replaced by Jon Harmon Feldman when ABC ordered the show to series. 

New VP - Tall - Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 3

Feldman left that same year, with Jeff Melvoin assuming the role for the rest of the first season. 

Things stabilized behind the scenes during the second season, with Keith Eisner taking on the showrunner duties for the entire season.

The third season finally premiered earlier this year with another new showrunner, Neal Baer. 

Netflix has also opted to end Tuca and Bertie, which amassed solid reviews. The animated series is ending after just one season. 

Kirkman at his Desk - Tall - Designated Survivor Season 3 Episode 7

“Lisa Hanawalt created a relatable yet whimsical world in Tuca & Bertie,” Netflix said in a statement.

“We’re grateful to Lisa, and her fellow executive producers Raphael Bob-Waksberg, Noel Bright, Steven A. Cohen, and EPs/stars Tiffany Haddish and Ali Wong, along with all of the writers and animators for sharing the funny and dynamic female bird duo of Tuca and Bertie with the world." 

"While Tuca & Bertie won’t have a second season, we’re proud to feature this story on Netflix for years to come.”

What are your thoughts on these cancellations?

Hit the comments below. 

Paul Dailly was an Associate Editor for TV Fanatic.Follow him on X.

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Designated Survivor Quotes

Pancakes for everyone!

Tom

Alex: Tom, you can't do that. You can't make promises you won't be able to keep.
Tom: We're in Washington. They're the only promises you're allowed to make.