Commander in Chief (2005)
The groundbreaking political drama that imagined America's first female president, years before the conversation became part of the national mainstream.
Commander in Chief - Series Information
- Original Title: Commander in Chief
- First Air Year: 2005
- Last Air Year: 2006
- Created by: Rod Lurie
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-PG
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode: 42 minutes
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 18
- Status: Canceled
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: Polish, English
- First Air Date: September 27, 2005 (United States - TV-PG), September 27, 2005 (Canada - PG), September 27, 2005 (Germany - 16), September 27, 2005 (France - 16), September 27, 2005 (Spain - 13)
- Networks: ABC
- Production Companies: Battleplan Productions, Touchstone Television, Steven Bochco Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Commander in Chief - Plot
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 - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see Mackenzie Allen's historic rise to the Oval Office.
Wife. Mother. Leader of the free world.
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Commander in Chief - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Rod Lurie
Main Cast
- Geena Davis
- Donald Sutherland
- Harry Lennix
- Kyle Secor
- Ever Carradine
- Matt Lanter
- Caitlin Wachs
- Jasmine Jessica Anthony
- Anthony Azizi
- Natasha Henstridge
Writers
- Dee Johnson
- Steven Bochco
- Steven A. Cohen
- Joel Fields
- Rod Lurie
Executive Producers
- Dee Johnson
- Rod Lurie
- Marc Frydman
Commander in Chief - FAQs
Who plays the first female president in Commander in Chief?
Geena Davis plays Mackenzie Allen, the vice president who unexpectedly ascends to the presidency. Her performance earned her a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Drama Series in 2006, and it remains one of the most celebrated portrayals of a female commander in chief in television history.
Did Commander in Chief win any awards?
Geena Davis won the Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Drama Series for her role as President Mackenzie Allen. The show also received Emmy nominations during its single season run, earning recognition for its bold premise and Davis's commanding central performance.
Why was Commander in Chief cancelled after one season?
Behind-the-scenes turmoil played a major role. Creator Rod Lurie was replaced mid-season by Steven Bochco, leading to tonal shifts and production delays. The show lost momentum during a long hiatus, and ratings dropped sharply. ABC cancelled it after 18 episodes despite a strong debut.
What is Commander in Chief about?
The series centers on Mackenzie Allen, a vice president who becomes the first female U.S. president after the sitting president dies in office. Balancing family life with the demands of global leadership, she faces political opposition from all sides, including a scheming House Speaker played by Donald Sutherland.
Where can I watch Commander in Chief?
Commander in Chief is available to purchase or rent digitally through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, and Google Play Movies. It is not currently available on any subscription streaming platform, so buying individual episodes or the full season is the most accessible option.
When did Commander in Chief first air?
Commander in Chief premiered on September 27, 2005, on ABC. The pilot drew an impressive audience of over 16 million viewers, making it one of the most-watched new drama debuts of that television season and generating significant buzz around its groundbreaking premise.
Is Commander in Chief based on a true story?
No, Commander in Chief is a fictional political drama. Creator Rod Lurie crafted an original story exploring what it might look like for a woman to hold the U.S. presidency. The series was notably prescient, arriving over a decade before female candidates became serious contenders in real presidential races.
What shows are similar to Commander in Chief?
Fans of Commander in Chief often enjoy The West Wing, House of Cards, Veep, and Designated Survivor for their sharp political drama and White House intrigue. The Good Wife and Brothers and Sisters also offer compelling character-driven storytelling with strong ensemble casts navigating power and personal life.
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