ABC has given full-season pickups to two freshman shows: the Kiefer Sutherland drama “Designated Survivor” and Minnie Driver comedy “Speechless.”
“We’re very proud of the creative excellence in front of and behind the camera, and are thrilled to be giving our audience more episodes,” said ABC Entertainment president Channing Dungey.
Both shows received back-nine orders to bring their total first season episode tallies to 22. “Designated Survivor,” about a cabinet member thrust into the presidency after an attack, hails from Mark Gordon Co. and ABC Studios. “Speechless,” which revolves around a family with a special needs child, is from 20th Century Fox TV and ABC Studios.
“Designated Survivor” is coming off a solid second-week showing in the Wednesday 10 p.m. slot. The premiere averaged 15.3 million viewers and 3.7 rating in adults 18-49 in Nielsen’s L3 ratings. “Speechless” airs in the Wednesday 8:30 p.m. hammock slot between “The Goldbergs” and “Modern Family.” So far the show has held its “Goldbergs” lead-in with an average of 6.9 million viewers and 1.9/7 in adults 18-49 in live-same-day.
“Designated Survivor” and “Speechless” join NBC drama “This Is Us” in nabbing quick full season renewals.
“Designated Survivor” was created by David Guggenheim, who exec produces with Sutherland, Simon Kinberg, Mark Gordon, Jon Harmon Feldman, Nick Pepper, Suzan Bymel and Aditya Sood. “Speechless” was created by Scott Silveri who exec produces with Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar.
(Pictured: “Speechless,” “Designated Survivor”)
