Kiefer Sutherland, the former star of "24", has previously confirmed that he will join ABC's political conspiracy thriller "Designated Survivor" to play the President of the United States, and will also serve as the executive producer of the show. "Designated Survivor" tells the story of Tom Kirkman (Kiefer Sutherland), a low-level staff member of the US Cabinet, who suddenly became the president after a terrorist attack because all the people who had the right of succession above him died in that terrorist attack. (The designated survivor is an absent cabinet member deliberately arranged when the US President and other senior leaders of the country gather in the same place. This move is to ensure that someone will become the president and continue to lead the United States after the president, vice president, congressional leaders and cabinet members are all killed.) Kal Penn, the star of "House", plays Seth Wright, the speechwriter who writes speeches for the protagonist Tom Kirkman, and Italia Ricci of "Chasing Life" plays Emily, the very serious White House Chief of Staff. Maggie Q from Stalker and Nikita plays Hannah Wells, the FBI agent who led the investigation into the Capitol bombing. Natascha McElhone from Californication plays Tom Kirkman's wife, a lawyer at the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, who suddenly becomes the First Lady of the United States. Adan Canto plays Aaron, a very aggressive deputy chief of staff who hopes to be promoted by the president. LaMonica Garrett plays Ritter, the head of the Secret Service under Tom Kirkman, who is responsible for protecting the protagonist's family after the bomb attack. Malik Yoba joins as an important recurring role. He will currently perform in 7 episodes and is an experienced FBI deputy director. He is the mentor, boss, and occasional boxing opponent of Hannah Wells in the play. Tanner Buchanan plays Leo Kirkman, Tom and Alex's son.