The new event series, 24: Live Another Day, will be set in London, according to co-showrunner and executive producer Evan Katz. 24 was huge in the UK when it originally aired, so setting it in London is a nice way to recognize that fact and pay tribute to the loyalty of the British fans, while giving them more of what they so crave right in their backyards.
In a statement released a few days ago, Katz said of the new series:
We wanted the show’s return to be an event, and part of that was putting Jack in a very different context. Four years ago, we left Jack a fugitive from justice and we’re going to pick him up four years later in London.
Indeed, 24 is intended to be an integral part of Fox’s “event programming” strategy, airing popular shows through the normally fallow summer period to connect the traditionally strong spring and autumn months. By taking an incredibly popular show like 24Â across the pond to sunny, vibrant London, they are creating a more inclusive global experience while at the same time providing novelty for the normally staid viewers at home, who’ve possibly never even seen Big Ben before (it’s the bell, not the tower).
Kiefer Sutherland expounded on this point, saying:
24 has always had such a global sensibility… But to be able to tell this intense 24-style story with the beauty of Europe’s history and architecture as the backdrop is going to be fascinating. Hopefully, by the time you’re finished watching an episode, you’ll feel like you’ve been there…on the edge of your seat.
It will indeed be beautiful seeing the history and architecture of London blown up, shot at, and used to torture terrorists. Luckily you don’t have long to wait, given that 24: Live Another Day will air in May of 2014.
