First premiering in 2001, 24 spanned 192 episodes over a total of eight seasons, in addition to a one-off event series (24: Live Another Day) and a TV movie (24: Redemption), to become one of the longest-running espionage-themed television dramas in history. Presented in a real-time format, each series offered a 24-hour window into super agent Jack Bauer’s (Kiefer Sutherland) life; working for the Counter Terrorist Unit, his efforts were largely focused on protecting America from potential terrorism plots, with his characteristically questionable tactics often proving to be remarkably effective, while also keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.
During its run, the critically acclaimed series earned a whole host of nominations and won an impressive number of them, including a Golden Globe for Best Drama Series and an Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series. As a result of the show’s success, FOX soon announced that it would be developing a reboot of the franchise, titled 24: Legacy. However, this time around, Kiefer Sutherland will not be reprising his role as the central protagonist, but will rather act as an executive producer for the spin-off series, which will feature an all-new cast, while retaining the real-time, split-screen method of storytelling. With production now advancing forward at a steady rate, the network has revealed a first look image at the reboot series’ new leading man.
Meet military hero Eric Carter, played by Straight Outta Compton star Corey Hawkins (via EW). As the recipient of the Bauer baton, the well-equipped star strikes a very familiar pose in the midst of the longest day of his life. Similarly to his popular predecessor, the character is described as “strong and smart”, despite his troubled past. As an ex-Army Ranger, Carter returns to Virginia to settle down with his wife Nicole, but is soon pulled back into action as he becomes determined to stop what could potentially be one of the largest-scale terror attacks on American soil.
24: Legacy also stars Miranda Otto as Rebecca Ingram, the former head of CTU and the wife of Jimmy Smits’ John Donovan, a powerful senator who is running for President of the United States. Together with Anna Diop as Nicole Carter, Eric’s wife; Charlie Hofheimer as Marcus Grimes, Eric’s former Army Rangers partner now suffering from PTSD; and Teddy Sears as Keith Mullins, the new ambitiously driven head of CTU – joined by Andy (Dan Bucatinsky) and Gia (Carol Peña) as the communication analysts at the Los Angeles branch.
Long-time fans of the franchise will undoubtedly be hoping to be introduced to a new set of heroes that are worth caring about, and thus far, the casting is looking promising. Hawkins certainly has the capability to bring something new and fresh to the series’ lead role, since his portfolio has proven that he can handle everything from comedy to intense personal drama, while his three-episode stint on AMC’s The Walking Dead also showed that he’s no stranger to action-packed scenes.
Inevitably, those who loved the show most for Sutherland’s portrayal may not be interested in the reboot, but after nine seasons it could also be argued that Jack Bauer’s storyline has been well exhausted, and therefore it makes sense to take advantage of a well-loved format and expand it to new characters. So with any luck, 24: Legacy will be able to drum up enough curiosity to attract both new and old fans alike.
24: Legacy will launch on FOX with a two-night premiere on Sunday, February 5th and Monday, February 6th 2017.
Source: FOX (via EW)
