Commander in Chief is an American political drama television series that focused on the fictional administration and family of Mackenzie Allen (portrayed by Geena Davis), the first female president of the United States, who ascends to the post from the vice presidency after the death of the sitting president from a sudden cerebral aneurysm.
The series began broadcasting on ABC on Tuesday, September 27, 2005, at 9 p.m. Eastern Time, although most countries outside North America began screening the series in mid-2006.
The show was ranked No. 1 on Tuesday nights until Fox's American Idol started in January. The show was also the No. 1 new show of the season until CBS' Criminal Minds surpassed it. Its major competitor in the 9:00 p.m. timeslot was Fox's House, which aired after American Idol.
The series was created by Rod Lurie, writer and director of the films The Contender and Deterrence.
The network replaced Lurie with Steven Bochco as showrunner. After ratings continued declining, Bochco was replaced by Dee Johnson. Further declining ratings brought about a hiatus, a timeslot change and ultimately cancellation announced in May 2006, with the final episodes airing the following month.
Geena Davis as President Mackenzie Allen
Donald Sutherland as Speaker Nathan Templeton
Harry Lennix as White House Chief of Staff Jim Gardner
Kyle Secor as First Gentleman Rod Calloway
Ever Carradine as Press Secretary Kelly Ludlow
Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Richard McDonald, a media consultant
Matt Lanter as Horace Calloway, President Allen's son, twin of Rebecca
Caitlin Wachs as Rebecca Calloway, President Allen's older daughter, twin of Horace
Jasmine Anthony as Amy Calloway, President Allen's younger daughter
Anthony Azizi as Vince Taylor, personal aide to President Allen
Natasha Henstridge as Jayne Murray, Chief of Staff to Speaker Templeton
Peter Coyote as Vice President Warren Keaton
Polly Bergen as Kate Allen, President Allen's mother