24 On Fox: Jack's Back!

The Fox Network's hit 24 is widely acclaimed as the best action drama on TV. Telling it's pulse-quickening stories in "real time" Fox's 24 stars Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer, a whatever-it-takes counter-terrorism expert, and co-stars Carlos Bernard, Mary Lynn Rajskub and Kim Raver as his spy network colleagues and personal allies.

With the ticking clock literally and figuratively haunting the series, 24 has won the Fox Network prestige, awards and, each season, growing TV ratings. With it's non-stop action, ever-rising tension, and unbelievable plot twists, including the jaw-dropping deaths of many leading characters, 24 is in a class by itself.

Created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochrane, 24 each season tells the story of Jack Bauer's race against time. Each season, Bauer and the CTU (Counter Terrorism Unit) must quash a devastating threat to national security. It may be a virus, a nuke, an assassination plot. Each episode, save the season premiere, represents one hour of a "real time" day in Bauer's life. Fans never know what's coming on 24, hour to hour, episode to episode, as the tension builds to a boiling point fueled by car chases, shoot-outs, kidnappings, explosions, murders, and betrayals.

As Bauer, Sutherland, 2006 SAG Award winner for best lead actor in TV, proves his worth in every episode. Despite the run-and-gun nature of 24, he's asked to play a range of emotions and roles: the worried father, the stoic soldier who faces death, the grim torturer, the pained beat-down victim, the relieved agent who's done his job. His charisma and intensity fire up every scene.

While the Fox drama has occasionally been criticized for having some weak supporting roles, it's also been praised for filling the show with very strong ones. Along with Almeida (Bernard) and Chloe (Rajskub) other 24 stalwarts have included Michelle Dessler (Reiko Alyseworth) Almeida's wife and colleague and Dennis Haysbert as President Palmer, Bauer's boss. Elisha Cuthbert spent several seasons playing Jack's daughter, Kim, who briefly worked for the CTU.