24 - 8 sezon news • peb, filmweb, megavideo, rapidshare

"24", the hit show from Fox Network, is now casting major ongoing roles for the 2010 season.

From the producer of "Arrested Development", this stylish show is about Counter Terrorist Unit agent Jack Bauer as he struggles to protect the nation from terrorist threats.

"24" stars Kiefer Sutherland and Carlos Bernard. It is being written by Joel Surnow and Howard Gordon, and directed by Brad Turner.

The show is produced by Brian Grazer, Evan Katz, Howard Gordon, Robert Cochran, and Joel Surnow for Imagine Entertainment and 20th Century Fox Television.

ROLES AVAILABLE:

FEMALES

Dayna Pakkala, any ethnicity, 20s. Dayna is an intelligent and yet down-to-earth data analyst at the Counter Terrorism Agency. She is great at her position and is respected by her colleagues at the agency. Dayna is romantically seeing her fellow agent Davis Cole, who recently returned from serving in the military. This woman has a personal history that she keeps hidden from the people she knows. SERIES REGULAR

Diane Reed, Caucasian, 30s - 40s. Diane is a well-educated, respected, pretty television journalist who is a regular contributor to a show similar to "60 Minutes". She has always been a very ambitious journalist. She comes from an upper-middle-class background and has a touch of arrogance about her. Diane is romantically seeing the President of a Middle Eastern country. SERIES REGULAR

Kayla Hashemi, Middle Eastern, 20s. Kayla is the humble and shy daughter of the President of a Middle Eastern country. She is close with her mother and wants to do anything she can to gain her mother's approval. Kayla is somewhat old-fashioned and traditional. She is also very defensive of her father and gets upset whenever anyone begins to critize him.

Sondra Hashemi, Middle Eastern, 40s - 50s. Sondra is the pretty and loyal wife of President Hashemi. At first she does not seem to be happy with her husband, but we eventually see that there is a very real bond and respect between them under the surface.

MALES

Jonah Schwartz, any ethnicity, 20s. Jonah is a quirky and brilliant Systems Analyst at the government's Counter Terrorism Unit. He looks more like a college grad student rather than a top secret undercover agent. He is somehow hip and geeky at the same time. Jonah is an expert at computer technology. SERIES REGULAR

Rob Weiss, any ethnicity, 30s. Weiss is the argumentative and tough Chief of Staff to President Allison Taylor. He speaks his mind and does not worry about being polite. Weiss is quick to strike back against the President's enemies. He is a bit high-strung at times, but he does a great job protecting the interests of the administration. SERIES REGULAR.

Davis Cole, any ethnicity, Mid 20s - 30s. Davis is a former military guy who is now in charge of the Counter Terrorism Unit's Field Operations. He has recently returned from time in the Marines in the Middle East, and he is now readjusting to civilian life. Davis aspires to eventually take a similar career path as Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland). He looks up to Bauer and admires him. Davis is also romantically seeing his colleague Dayna Pakkala. SERIES REGULAR

Brian Hastings, any ethnicity, 30s - 40s. Brian is a clean-cut and businesslike man who is in charge of the Counter Terrorism Unit's New York City office. He has a very keen and focused sense of intelligence about him. He choses his words very carefully when he speaks and never overeacts to anything. He seems like someone who would be comfortable trading stocks or running a company, but instead he has chosen to help contribute to running the agency. SERIES REGULAR

Farhad Hashemi, Middle Eastern, 30s - 40s. Hashemi is the Secretary of State of a fictional Middle Eastern country, and his brother is the President. He does not completely trust the Americans, and he is reluctant to enter into a peace treaty with the United States.

[TERI] Caucasian, a small 6 year old (twins would be great) to play 3-4 years old. Blonde or fair, she is Kim Bauer’s daughter (Elisha Cuthbert).sptv050769..Will be in two episodes. Teri has a good amount of dialogue.

May 7, 2009 - Another year, another legal jam for Kiefer Sutherland – and another potential issue for 24's producers to deal with. Season 8 of the series is scheduled to go into production later this month, but Sutherland's latest legal scrape could potentially delay production, says the Hollywood Reporter.

Sutherland allegedly head-butted clothing designer Jack McCollugh at a New York club this past Monday, and is expected to turn himself in today – it's being reported that he is likely going to be charged with minor assault. However, with Sutherland already on probation for driving under the influence (which he served 48 days of prison time for), it's not clear yet just how big the ramifications of this may be and if Sutherland might end up doing more jail time as a result. If Sutherland is said to have been publically intoxicated during this new incident, he could be sentenced to another 48 days or more.

- FOX
Kiefer Sutherland in 24
Having had Season 7 delayed a full year thanks to the writers' strike, 24 producers would no doubt be unhappy with any delays on the new season. Since the show doesn't premiere until January, it does at least give them a bit more time – the May start is an early one, as most returning shows won't be back in production until July. When Sutherland was first sentenced to jail time for his DUI, he had arranged to serve half of it during 24's holiday break, and the rest after the season ended. However, the writers' strike ended up delaying production for so long, Sutherland instead did his sentence consecutively.

Meanwhile, we have a bit of casting news/story speculation for Season 8 from EW.com's Michael Ausiello. He reports that the show is currently casting a young actress to play Kim Bauer's daughter next season – which would certainly indicate Kim herself, played by Elisha Cuthbert, will be back in some capacity next year.

If the coming season ends up being 24’s last, don’t count on Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack reconnecting with former love Audrey (Kim Raver), who lapsed into a catatonic state at the end of season 6. Exec producer Evan Katz tells me that a series-ending story has been hatched should 24 clock out for good next May—and it doesn’t involve an Audrey-Jack reunion.

“Some of the things we’re doing this season preclude [her returning],” he says. “So I think not. She was in bad shape the last time we saw her.”

Katz says a number of “contingencies are in place” that could either tie up the series or keep it going. (Reilly had suggested that the show’s hefty budget could make another season cost-prohibitive. Another hurdle: Sutherland’s contract expires in May.) “We have a scenario that would work well [if it's the end],” he says. “But we also have a bunch of scenarios where the show could go on in different ways… We’re remaining flexible.”

What happens if a decision isn’t made by the time the final episode is shot in February? “That’s a great question,” says Katz. “Hopefully it’ll be clear before then.”

What say you, 24 fans? Bummed that time appears up for Jack and Audrey? Or are you too invested in Jack and Renee to care? Sound off below!