ABC's 'Designated Survivor' How Real Is It? Key Facts From Real-Life Officials; Who Gets To Be Chosen?

The new ABC series "Designated Survivor" is a story of Kiefer Sutherland who plays U.S. Cabinet member who becomes a President following a massive explosion at the Capitol during a State of the Union wiping out all presidential successors ahead of him.

"Designated Survivor" is real in the United States and is usually carried out when high-ranking officials attend gatherings such as Inauguration, State of the Union, or Joint Session of Congress. The "Designated Survivor" is a Cabinet member selected with the least reason to attend an event. Case in point, Tom Kirkman played by Kiefer Sutherland in the series. He was made "Designated Survivor" as his policies won't be mentioned in the President's speech, hence Kirkman need not attend the State of the Union.

"Designated Survivor" is based on "Continuity of the Government Plan" which is a solution to "state decapitation" in a case of a massive attack. Real-life designated survivors recalled their experience in a report by ABC News. After the 9/11 attack, Gale Norton was one of the high-ranking officials put in a secured location, and in the next State of the Union of President Bush, she was chosen as the "Designated Survivor." Aside from the designated survivor, there were also designated staffers. One of the staffers recalled that while the task was apocalyptic, they were given provisions.

Another real-life "Designated Survivor" is former U.S. Attorney General Alberto Gonzales in 2007 Joint Session of Congress. He recalls being taken to an Air Force Base with people carrying black binders who were tasked to advise him should he assume the presidency.

Richard Clarke, former National Security Official shares that a "Designated Survivor" will be put in a secure location before the event starts, and will not be brought back until the following morning.

Next episode of "Designated Survivor" will air on November 30, 2016.