Back in 2014,24returned briefly for the limited seriesLive Another Day, which saw Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) in London on the run from the CIA. The revival was both a ratings hit and critically acclaimed, garnering three Emmy nominations. So since Fox has been busy rebooting everything else lately (includingPrison Break,The X-Files, and things likeLethal WeaponandThe Exorcist), why not bring Bauer back?
The twist is that this time, the24revival, called24: Legacy, will feature an all-new cast.Fox castStraight Outta Compton’sCorey Hawkinsas Eric Carter, who will replace Bauer as the lead. According to Fox, Carter comes from a rough background, but turned his life around in the Army Rangers. Though living a quiet life in Virginia, his past comes back to haunt him, pulling him back into the action. But fans of course want to know: what about Bauer?
In January when Fox made the announcement, it seemed like Sutherland would besitting this new installment out. But according toEmpire, it looks like Bauer may be back after all. ProducerHoward Gordontold the publication that,
“Our intention is definitely to bring some of the old people into this story, up to and including Kiefer, once this show gets its legs.”
As Empire points out, this could mean several things. It looks like they don’t want to bring Bauer back too early, to allow the show’s new cast to make their mark and find their own audience. However, it could easily be something they save to boost ratings later on, especially during pivotal moments in the season (or even to launch the second season, if it does well).
Unlike prior seasons of24,Legacywill follow the format ofLive Another Dayand run for 12 episodes instead of 24, and will debut on February 5th after the Super Bowl (much likeThe X-Filesdid last year). Sutherland, though not starring, is serving as an executive producer, and in addition to Hawkins other new cast members includeJimmy SmitsandMiranda Otto.
Check out the trailer below, along with the official synopsis for the new season:
The clock ticks again with 24: LEGACY, the next evolution of the Emmy Award-winning “24.” From Emmy Award-winning executive producer Howard Gordon (“Homeland,” “24: Live Another Day”), Academy Award- and Emmy Award-winning executive producer Brian Grazer (“A Beautiful Mind,” “24”), writers and executive producers Manny Coto and Evan Katz (“24,” “24: Live Another Day”), director and executive producer Stephen Hopkins (“24”) and executive producer and original series star Kiefer Sutherland, 24: LEGACY chronicles an adrenaline-fueled race against the clock to stop a devastating terrorist attack on United States soil – in the same real-time format that has propelled this genre-defining series. Six months ago in Yemen, an elite squad of U.S. Army Rangers, led by Sergeant ERIC CARTER (Corey Hawkins, “Straight Outta Compton”), killed terrorist leader Sheik Ibrahim Bin-Khalid. In the aftermath, Bin-Khalid’s followers declared afatwahagainst Carter, his squad and their families, forcing them into federal witness protection. But a recent attempt on Carter’s own life makes it clear to him that his team is now exposed. To thwart further attacks, Carter enlists REBECCA INGRAM (Miranda Otto, “Homeland”), who quarterbacked the raid that killed Bin-Khalid. She’s a brilliant and ambitious intelligence officer who has stepped down from her post as National Director of CTU to support her husband, SENATOR JOHN DONOVAN (Emmy and Golden Globe Award winner Jimmy Smits, “NYPD Blue,” “The West Wing”), in his campaign for President of the United States. Decades of sleepless nights and missed anniversaries landed her at the top. With the White House within their grasp, can she truly embrace a new role as First Lady? Or will her love of the action draw her back in? Together, in this fast-paced thrill ride, Carter and Ingram uncover a sophisticated terrorist network that will force them to ask: “Who can we trust?” As they battle Bin-Khalid’s devotees, they are forced to confront their own identities, families and pasts.
