Kiefer Sutherland brought a new brand of action hero to the small screen as Jack Bauer in the 24 franchise. He wowed audiences by turning in intense performances in two dozen episodes year after year. He's moved on from the show that made him a TV star, but it turns out that there's something he really misses about his time on 24. Sutherland had this to say about carrying on after the end of 24:
That's the thing that I really remember was how much those people meant to me. And I probably didn't let them know enough how much they did, but they did. It was the thing that I miss the most. We all spent eight years trying to finish this thing and we finally did. ... I was lost for about a year. It was like the worst breakup I have ever had. It was very bizarre.
The original run of 24 lasted for eight seasons, starting in November of 2001 and not coming to an end until May of 2010. Filming involved six-day work weeks filled with long days of action and drama for nine months out of the year, so it's no surprise that Kiefer Sutherland formed some deep bonds with the cast and crew. The bonus twelve episodes of 24: Live Another Day in 2014 seemed no less intense, even if the production schedule was shorter. Sutherland went on during his stop by The Jess Cagle Interview (via EW) to explain that the whole 24 family went through weddings and births and milestones together during the run of the show. No wonder that he went through a sort of withdrawal when he had to face life and work without them.
Of course, Kiefer Sutherland does seem to have recovered from his post-24 breakup slump. His new ABC show Designated Survivor got off to a thrilling start, and the ratings for the premiere were fantastic. It even picked up an extra five million viewers thanks to its DVR performance. Tom Kirkman is a pretty different character from Jack Bauer, but Designated Survivor may help fans of the original 24 deal with the fact that Sutherland won't be involved in the upcoming spinoff 24: Legacy.
That said, the door seems to be open to Kiefer Sutherland if he ever wants to return to the 24 franchise. The man himself has said that there are no plans at this point for him to appear in Legacy, and he evidently has faith that the franchise can continue just fine without him, but he hasn't entirely ruled out returning to the role of Jack Bauer at some point. In the meantime, we'll have to be content with the fact that Designated Survivor will see a 24 reunion of sorts. 24 alum Mykelti Williamson is on board for recurring role in Designated Survivor Season 1.
Hopefully Kiefer Sutherland will be able to find another sort of family with Designated Survivor as he found on 24. You can catch him in action as President Tom Kirkman on Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.
