’24’ To End After Current Season

The drama “24” won’t be ticking much longer on TV. Fox announced Friday that its action-packed real-time show starring Kiefer Sutherland as anti-terrorism agent Jack Bauer will wind down at the end of its current eighth season on May 24.

Sutherland said in a statement that the show’s cast and crew “always wanted ’24’ to finish on a high note, so the decision to make the eighth season our last was one we all agreed upon.” He also said he was looking forward to creating a film version of “24.”

The show has received 68 Emmy nominations, winning for outstanding drama series and for Sutherland as lead drama actor in 2006. “This has been the role of a lifetime, and I will never be able to fully express my appreciation to everyone who made it possible,” Sutherland said. “But when all is said and done, it is the loyal worldwide fan base that made it possible for me to have the experience of playing the role of Jack Bauer, and for that I am eternally grateful.”

Premiering Nov. 6, 2001, “24” used an innovative real-time, split-screen format to present fast-paced interwoven storylines. Each episode covered one hour of the season’s 24-hour story arc. The first six seasons were set in Los Angeles. Following a one-year break forced by the writers strike, season seven went to Africa and Washington, D.C.

The current season has Agent Bauer thwarting a terrorist attack in New York. By the end of this season, “24” will have presented 194 episodes, making it one of television’s longest-running action shows.