I’m not sure how to feel about 24: Live Another Day, FOX’s upcoming resurrection of their wildly popular espionage thriller series. On one hand, 24 was running low on creative juices by the end of its original, eight-season run, and an addition to the series might just drive home the realization that audiences have already had their fill of Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). On the other, however, 24 was a huge show for a long time, and it’s widely considered to be one of the best spy thrillers in television history, so there may still be an appetite for it. Certainly, response to the ‘event’ series’ tease during the Super Bowl was mostly positive.
Everything seems to be right on track for 24: Live Another Day but today, the production is facing a small hiccup as one of the series’ actresses is taking an early exit. Judy Davis, who would have been a newcomer to the show, has opted to quit for personal reasons. Davis was set to play Margo, the widow of a dangerous terrorist and a formidable British arms dealer in her own right. Now, however, family matters have led the Australian actress to decide that traveling to London to shoot 24: Live Another Day would be impractical.
Shooting has been underway on the 12-episode series since last month, but Davis wasn’t set to film her scenes until sometime within the next couple of weeks. FOX is moving fast to recast the role so that Davis’s exit doesn’t delay production.
It’s disappointing that Davis won’t be a part of the 24 revival, considering her incredible talent as an actress. Known for A Passage to India, Barton Fink and Husbands and Wives, she’s proven herself time and time again as a versatile and emotive performer. Unfortunately, 24 fans won’t get to see her this time around.
Luckily, 24: Live Another Day will still feature a strong cast of faces both old and new. In addition to Sutherland and returning stars Mary Lynn Rajskub, Kim Raver and William Devane, the series will introduce characters played by Yvonne Strahovski, Stephen Fry and John Boyega. Giles Matthey, Gbenga Akinnagbe, Benjamin Bratt, Tate Donovan and Michael Wincott are also set to have roles in the 12-episode series.
In 24: Live Another Day, Jack remains a fugitive from the CIA four years after the explosive conclusion of the original series. When Jack catches wind of a terrorist plot in London, he’s pulled into the fight against global terror once again. Regrouping with Chloe O’Brian (Rajskub), Jack continues to evade capture by government groups, even as his pursuers grow closer to finally apprehending him.
Are you excited for the return of Jack Bauer? And are you sad to see Davis go? Let us know in the comments section!
24: Live Another Day debuts on May 5.