This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Washington • There's not much resemblance to Kiefer Sutherland, but Sen. Orrin Hatch took on the role of the designated survivor during Friday's inauguration events — one of the people playing the role.

Outgoing President Barack Obama's designated survivor was Jeh Johnson, secretary of homeland security.

Hatch, a seven-term Utah Republican, was incoming President Donald Trump's pick and, as such, stayed away from the ceremony and was in an undisclosed location for the duration. As president pro tempore of the Senate, Hatch is third in line in succession to the presidency, after the vice president and House speaker.

"At the request of President Donald Trump, I am honored to fulfill the role of designated presidential successor during the inauguration. As much as I would have liked to participate in the ceremony and festivities, I am honored to perform this important constitutional duty, which ensures the continuity of government."

Sutherland is star of the "Designated Survivor" TV series on ABC in which he becomes president after an attack on the Capitol wipes out most of the top leadership of the country.