During The Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour in Pasadena, CA, network representatives for Fox mentioned something interesting about 24. The hinted that the series could return in 2016 without Kiefer Sutherland.
The latest season of 24 was a 12-episode run titled Live Another Day. It took place in London, introduced some new characters, and saw Sutherland's main character, Jack Bauer, have a very uncertain future. It was a really fine season and I thought it would translate really well into a 24 movie, which has been rumored for years, and yet we have nothing to show for it.
Variety reporter Cynthia Littleton was live-tweeting the TCA, and wrote this little snippet:
"24" w/ out Kiefer Sutherland? Could happen. Pitch for new installment of "24" eyed for 2016 is Jack Bauer-free. Would be a one-off. #TCA15
— Cynthia Littleton (@Variety_Cynthia) January 17, 2015
I'm okay with a Jack Bauer-free one-off of 24. Jack Bauer has done it all, saved millions of lives countless times, saved presidents and governments, and has lost almost everyone he cares about. It might be the fresh start the series might need, with new characters and writers. The show could have an entirely different feel. And I think it would have stronger seasons if Fox kept to the 12-episode format. The storylines are tighter that way; there's no downtime and unnecessary filler.
I think the best solution for a one-off would be to follow Yvonne Strahovski's character of Kate Morgan. You kind of got this feeling that she understood that Jack did what needed to be done, and that she was being groomed to be the new "Jack Bauer." Strahovski did a wonderful job, and she's proven that she can be a lead character and help carry and action series with both 24 and Chuck under her belt.
Either way, I can't wait to hear more about what Fox has planned for 24.
