Kiefer Sutherland told the Television Critics Association he did not want to come back to television.
You had doneTouchafter24,beforeDesignated Survivor.
Is TV any easier without the burden of the format of24?
Its much easier for the writers.
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EvenTouchhad a large arcing story.
DoesDesignated Survivorget to have more closed stories you’ve got the option to resolve in an hour?
Yes, there will be aspects of that.
There are three storylines that are really functioning through our show.
One is the family drama.
One is the investigation into who actually bombed the Capital building.
At the end of that investigation, what is the appropriate response?
That takes an election.
Theres a second designated survivor, right?
I didnt know that.
I knew about the first designated survivor before I read the script.
I knew about that policy.
I knew it was in the Constitution.
I didnt know that there was actually two.
Theres a representative from each party.
So in our scenario, our party is Democratic but I was a member of the cabinet.
I was actually elected independently.
Then the Republicans have a designated survivor in case something happens to me.
So then there is two still in the line of succession.
Thats why they have them.
Is the danger always the possibility of martial law?
Or the War Measures Act or a number of different things that can be imposed.
This goes all the way back to Dwight Eisenhower on his farewell speech from the Oval Office.
It was always questionable with Lyndon Johnson and his affiliation with Bell Helicopter in the extension of Vietnam.
Richard Nixon as well.
So yes, thats going to obviously be something that we play into with regards to the show.
And I think its really fundamentally the main reason why he takes on the job.
He doesnt want it.
At that moment, he could have very easily had passed it off.
He doesnt want the job.
So he stays there.
Did you know any of this when you read the pilot?
A lot of what I just said I did not know.
So you trusted thered be an interesting story.
Well, I had a long conversation with Mark [Gordon] and David Guggenheim who wrote it.
How did you see seasons one, two, three, four, five going?
We discussed all that.
Will this turn into anAir Force Onesort of action president?
The action aspect of the show is going to be the investigation into the bombing.
Thats going to be really headed by Maggie Qs character.
So itll always feel a little nefarious, that part of the story.
No, the president is not going to magically jump up and know how to fight, no.
Theres a scene about that in episode two.
So very good call.
Did you watch much of the conventions?
Did you make any observations about presidential appearances?
I think she went into the White House kicking and screaming.
Thats how this guy goes into office as well.
In all fairness, I felt the same way about Hillary Clinton.
Thats also a model of a really strong marriage which might be what you gotta survive.
Yes, and Michelle Obama had almost a two year campaign to get used to the idea.
Then a stunning speech in 2004 at the Democratic Convention, watched his star rise.
She had time to adjust.
Natascha McElhone playing my wife has about 35 minutes.
So on a dramatic level, fantastic.
How did you come up with FDR as the president you wanted to emulate?
So not only did nobody have any money, but there was nothing to farm.
Did you think of LBJ, the accidental president who didnt ask for this?
Well, I have great respect for LBJ and youre right.
He never gets credit for everything that he did with regards to Civil Rights.
He was unfortunately saddled with the Vietnam War that he didnt get out of.
But I agree with you, I think he was actually a remarkable President.
This is a personal choice of mine.
There was something about Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a quieter man, was not as angry a man.
LBJ had a temper and I dont think Tom Kirkland does.
I think hes going to have to find that a bit or perish.
But there was just a gentleness of him compared to Teddy.
You come from a political family.
Did they talk about politics while you were growing up?
At our dinner table.
My grandfather was leader of the NDP which was the federal officers of Canada.
He was responsible for health care as the Premier of Saskatchewan for 16 years.
This was where we lived.
Its what we did.
Our dinners were interesting in my house.
My mom was an incredibly powerful activist, not only in the United States but in Canada as well.
All three shows youve done, you were front and center as the lead.
Have you ever considered doing more of an ensemble role?
I think this will ultimately be an ensemble, even though my character goes through different storylines.
Its too great a cast to not take advantage of.
Is there any chance for you to appear on24: Legacy?
There are absolutely no plans for that.
In theFlatlinersremake, youve said your role is ambiguous enough that you could be the same character.
Have you had a chance to see what their afterlife looks like?
No, I have not.
With which of the new cast did you have scenes?
I had scenes with all of them.
I played a professor so they would have to report back to me.
