Commander in Chief

Mackenzie Allen has a lot on her plate -- she has twin teenagers, a 6-year-old at home and an ambitious husband at the office, and she is about to become the first female president of the United States. Before that happens, however; Mackenzie, who serves as vice president, has to decide whether or not to go against the dying wishes of the current president, who has asked her to step down and let someone "more appropriate" fill his shoes in the Oval Office. Not only does the president want her to resign, so does the entire party that elected her in the first place. But when the moment of truth arrives, Mackenzie isn't willing to be a mere footnote in history. Instead of allowing her detractors to keep her down, she decides to trust her instincts and accept the most powerful job in the world.

Commander in Chief (2005-2006) is a American network political drama series created by Rod Lurie for ABC. Geena Davis stars as Mackenzie Allen, a vice president who must decide whether to defy the dying president and the party that elected her, and claim the most powerful job in the world as the first female president of the United States. Donald Sutherland plays the ailing president Nathan Templeton, while Harry Lennix plays Jim Gardner, a political operative whose loyalties are tested as the new administration takes shape. Each episode turns on a White House crisis, backroom maneuvering in Congress, and the pressure of raising twin teenagers and a young child while leading the nation. The single season of eighteen episodes is one continuing story, with the drama built on procedural briefings, press conferences, and tense negotiations in the West Wing. Its tone is earnest and hopeful, with an undercurrent of institutional suspicion and a sense of history being made. Fans of The West Wing, Veep and Scandal will find resonance in its portrait of ambition, loyalty and the cost of power.

• The West Wingshared political drama tones and Washington power struggles centered on a high-office protagonist
• Veepshared female-led political drama about a woman navigating the presidency and party resistance
• Scandalshared political drama with ambitious spouse and family pressures around the executive office

Created by

Rod Lurie

Release Date

2005-09-27

Episode runtime

42 min

Rating

6.8 / 10 (41)

What is Commander in Chief about?

A vice president unexpectedly inherits the Oval Office and must hold her own against a hostile party, her family, and Washington's power brokers.

What is Commander in Chief like to watch?

Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Commander in Chief as measured, its intensity as mild and its storytelling as easy to follow.

Is Commander in Chief violent?

No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Commander in Chief.

Which shows are like Commander in Chief?

Shows with a similar feel include The West Wing, Veep, and Scandal.

How long is Commander in Chief?

Commander in Chief: 1 season, 18 episodes.

Is Commander in Chief still running?

No, Commander in Chief was canceled.

Where can I watch Commander in Chief?

In United States, Commander in Chief streams on Philo.