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24

24 is an American action-thriller television series created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran for Fox.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

24 is an American action-thriller television series created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran for Fox. It stars Kiefer Sutherland as counter-terrorism agent Jack Bauer and is known for its real-time format, with each season depicting 24 hours of events. The series originally aired from 2001 to 2010 and returned in 2014 for the miniseries 24: Live Another Day.

Premise

The series follows Jack Bauer and other Counter Terrorist Unit personnel as they try to stop terrorist threats against the United States. Its defining device is real-time storytelling, with each episode representing one hour of a day.

Broadcast history

24 first aired on Fox on November 6, 2001, and ran for eight seasons through 2010. It later returned in 2014 as the 12-episode miniseries 24: Live Another Day. The series was broadcast in Canada, and the 2014 revival aired on Global in Canada, according to French-language reference material.

Reception

The series received strong critical and industry recognition during its run. Britannica notes that it earned dozens of Emmy nominations and won outstanding drama series in 2006.

Legacy

24 became notable for its format and for popularizing a high-tension, real-time style of television storytelling. Britannica also notes that it led to later related projects, including the spin-off 24: Legacy.

Key facts

  • Each season is structured around a single 24-hour period shown in real time.
  • Kiefer Sutherland plays Jack Bauer, a fictional Counter Terrorist Unit agent.
  • The series premiered on Fox on November 6, 2001.
  • Its original run ended in 2010, and it later returned with 24: Live Another Day in 2014.
  • The series won major industry recognition, including an Emmy Award for outstanding drama series in 2006.
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Canadian context

The series was broadcast in Canada and the 2014 revival 24: Live Another Day aired on Global in Canada, according to French-language reference material.[16]

Frequently asked questions

What is 24 about?
It follows Jack Bauer and the Counter Terrorist Unit as they try to stop major threats, usually over the course of one day shown in real time.
Who created 24?
The series was created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran.
Who stars in 24?
Kiefer Sutherland stars as Jack Bauer, the central character.
When did 24 first air?
It premiered on Fox on November 6, 2001.
How many seasons did 24 have?
It had nine seasons in total, including the 2014 miniseries 24: Live Another Day.
What made 24 distinctive?
Its episodes are designed to unfold in real time, with each season covering 24 hours.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_(TV_series)
    Supports: Creator, star, original network, premiere date, total episodes, original run, and series finale date.
  2. Simple Wikipedia — https://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_(TV_series)
    Supports: Original broadcast dates and the 2014 return as 24: Live Another Day.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/topic/24-television-series
    Supports: Premise, real-time format, original network years, critical success, Emmy win, and the 2014 revival and spin-off.
  4. Wikipedia (French) — https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/24_Heures_chrono
    Supports: Canadian broadcast note for 24: Legacy on Global and general series facts including episode counts and seasons.