Designated Survivor resurfaces in revival discussions after years of inactive status

Designated Survivor finished in 2019 after three seasons. It looked final at the time, yet the show’s name keeps coming back whenever people talk about canceled series that managed to survive in some way. The latest case is Manifest, and a new update about that show ended up bringing Designated Survivor into the conversation again. No official word about a revival exists, but the reference itself was enough to remind us how streaming platforms sometimes rewrite the ending of a story that once seemed closed.

This mention was not random. It reflects a pattern that has grown stronger over the last decade. A network show can vanish from its schedule overnight, only to appear again on a streaming platform with fresh episodes or a final chapter. Designated Survivor became part of that pattern, and its story is remembered whenever a new title follows a similar path.

The story of Designated Survivor

The series first appeared on ABC in 2016. It followed Tom Kirkman, the quiet cabinet member suddenly turned president after a shocking attack. Two seasons aired on the network before the cancellation came. Netflix stepped in and ordered a third, which also became the last. That season, released in 2019, was framed to close the main arcs and leave the characters with an ending.

This journey, from broadcast cancellation to streaming conclusion, is the main reason the series still shows up in these discussions. There were no more renewals, no spin-offs, and no extra material after 2019. But the fact that it received closure on Netflix keeps it relevant whenever examples of rescued shows are listed.

Shared space with Lucifer and Manifest

Screen Rant’s article pointed out how Designated Survivor sits in the same category as Lucifer and Manifest. Lucifer, first canceled by Fox, ended up lasting three more seasons after Netflix saved it. Manifest went through something similar, moving from NBC to Netflix, where it found new popularity and finished in four seasons instead of the six originally planned.

The comparison is clear. Each of these shows was pulled from network schedules and then given a second chance by streaming. Some lasted longer, some wrapped up quickly, but the idea is the same. Streaming services changed the cycle, and Designated Survivor is part of that history.

Jeff Rake and the 828 Day post

On August 28, 2025, known among fans as 828 Day, he posted a short message on Instagram. He said there was no news to announce yet but admitted to feeling excited. He thanked executives, producers, and fans for the continued support.

The post included hashtags with the show’s name and the word “spin-off.” That was enough to draw attention. Even without confirmation, it suggested the idea of continuing the story in another format, keeping the possibility alive in the minds of fans.

The original plan and the final outcome

Manifest was originally imagined as a six-season journey. That was the plan, at least. However, NBC stepped away, and when Netflix stepped in, the structure changed: four seasons instead of six. The story had to be compressed and shaped differently, and in 2023, it reached the end. It felt complete but also a little rushed. Then came Jeff Rake’s small hint, the quick mention of a spin-off. It was short, almost casual, yet it carried weight. A reminder that the world he built might not be entirely closed.

Where Designated Survivor fits in

While Rake’s words were about Manifest, Screen Rant reminded readers how Designated Survivor went through a similar process. ABC ended it after two years, and Netflix offered a final season that gave closure. That example remains important because it shows how endings can shift once a show moves to streaming.

There has been no movement on Designated Survivor since then; no announcements, no signs of return. Its relevance today comes from being mentioned in articles like this one, where the history of cancellations and revivals is mapped out through a handful of well-known cases.

Expectations and timing

For Manifest, the expectation now lies in whether a spin-off will eventually happen. Screen Rant suggested that the next 828 Day in 2026 could bring more concrete news, though nothing has been promised. Until then, fans are left with Rake’s message and the knowledge that the door has not been closed completely.

For Designated Survivor, the situation is different. The show ended in 2019, and there are no updates. Its name circulates only as an example, not as a project under discussion. Still, that role as a reference shows how strongly the series is tied to the broader changes in how television is produced and revived.

Conclusion

Designated Survivor remains inactive, yet its place in the conversation about revivals has not disappeared. Screen Rant’s piece on Manifest brought it up again, proving how certain shows continue to be remembered long after they end. While Manifest may still move toward a spin-off, Designated Survivor stands as a finished story, used as evidence of how streaming platforms can alter the fate of a network drama. That alone keeps its name alive, even years after the finale.