Top 10 fictional presidents on television

Photo Credit: ABC

8. Designated Survivor – Tom Kirkman

When Designated Survivor debuted on ABC, many people noted that President Tom Kirkman was basically Jack Bauer with glasses. Yet, as the series went on, Kirkman began to distinguish himself as more than just a man trying to find justice, but someone who knows how to play the political game. He’s a bit of a fish out of water in Washington D.C., because Kirman genuinely wants to help people with no regard for how many other government officials help him. Initially, this is what keeps Designated Survivor alive, the naivety of Kirkman as he tries to find ways to compromise to ensure everyone’s happiness.

Over time, he slowly begins to lose that good-natured attitude in order to learn the Washington game. He becomes a worthy sparring partner with a few different political big shots, specifically Kimble Hookstraten. One of the most compassionate presidents in television history, hopefully, Kirkman is able to keep politics and a government conspiracy from destroying his integrity.

Photo Credit: FOX

7. 24: Live Another Day –  James Heller 

In a competition for most tragic ending in the 24 franchise, President James Heller takes the cake. During his tenure as Commander in Chief, he kept a level head trying to alleviate tension between the United States and Great Britain. Constantly undermined by his Chief of Staff and foreign intelligence agencies, Heller manages to keep his cool despite his deteriorating health. In such a dark world, Heller was one of the few characters in the 24 universe to keep their morality intact. In fact, before the revival ended he even issued Jack a presidential pardon, something he did simply because it was the right thing to do.

Unfortunately, Heller ends up getting the short end of the stick in the finale of the series. Yes, Jack manages to save his life and stop military drones from starting another war. However, these triumphs come at the cost of his daughter Audrey’s life. His Chief of Staff’s arrest for treason leads Jack to the mercy of a new round of torture, and Heller’s Alzheimer’s means he will soon have no recollection of Audrey or her death. It’s a tragic ending for a man who did nothing but try to be a good leader for the American people, but in line with the tone 24 set from the beginning.