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 American director Rod Lurie, director of the films The Contender and Deterrence. The network replaced Lurie with Steven Bochco as show runner. 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. Characters Main Mackenzie Allen (Geena Davis) Mac is a former member of Congress from Connecticut and chancellor of the University of Richmond. An independent placed on the Republican presidential ticket alongside Teddy Bridges. It is a common belief she was the reason Bridges won the election. Mac becomes the first female vice president, a very popular one at that, and, upon Bridges' death, she becomes the first female president of the United States. During the first season, Mac decides she wants to run for re-election, with her political strategists stating her campaign is likely to secure her the middle fifty percent of voters. Nathan Templeton (Donald Sutherland) Templeton is a Republican congressional leader from Florida and The Speaker of the United States House of Representatives. He was Bridges' choice to succeed him as president, and thus he harbors significant resentment towards Mac, who refused to resign from her position. He and Mac slowly become more acquainted with one another over the course of the series, and begin to develop a political kinship. He has his own intentions to run as a Republican candidate in the next election. He is married, with no children. Jim Gardner (Harry Lennix) Jim was Bridges' chief of staff, and was asked