This season on 24, Jack Bauer is truly becoming an army of one.
Keifer Sutherland will be the only actor back full-time on 24's upcoming fourth season, Fox Television has announced. Virtually none of the current cast will have large roles next season, but a few will be back for select episodes when the series returns in January.
The fact that high-profile stars
Elisha Cuthbert (Kim Bauer) and Dennis Haysbert (President David Palmer) won't be returning as series regulars means serious plot changes are afoot next season for the real-time drama--not that breakneck twists are anything new for the show. Since the terrorism thriller's inception, characters have come and gone with freakishly alarming regularity. Popular characters such as Terri Bauer (Leslie Hope), Nina Myers (Sarah Clarke) and Sherry Palmer (Penny Johnson Jerald) have all met their maker over the first three seasons.
Geoff Pierson, who played Senator John Keeler, President Palmer's nemesis, last season, is one of the few current castmembers who will have a major recurring role, according to executive producer Joel Surnow. Keeler gets promoted to President in season four.
Despite the revolving door at 24, fans of the show have stuck with the drama--it averaged 10.3 million viewers last season--and are expected to stick around as long as Sutherland continues to deliver as Agent Jack Bauer. Internet fansites are buzzing on plot points resulting from Surnow's revelation that Haysbert's David Palmer character will no longer be President and that Jack Bauer will no longer be working for CTU (Counter Terrorism Unit).
One fan on Fox's official 24 Website was less than psyched with the leaked spoilers. "I'm not thrilled at the idea that Jack will not be with CTU in S4," he said. Still, most fans remain optimistic about the new season.
Many male fans will undoubtedly be sad to see Reiko Aylesworth (Michelle Dessler) leave the series. Aylesworth, who along with James Badge Dale (Chase Edmunds) and Carlos Bernard (Tony Almeida), was informed that her character wouldn't be coming back before attending a Fox party in May, won't be shedding too many tears, however. She has already found a new gig over at CBS on CSI.
Last week, 24 was nominated for eight Emmy awards, including Outstanding Drama Series and Lead Actor for Sutherland.