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Kiefer Sutherland stars in a new season of "24"

Jack Bauer had to put up with a lot during his time in the Counter Terrorist Unit -- having his family kidnapped, being tortured by terrorists, having to fake his own death, being framed for murder -- and he just wanted to start enjoying his retirement.

But, of course, just when he thinks he's out, they pull him back in.

This Monday, Jan. 25, marks "24's" return to its regular day and time Monday nights on Fox, following last week's two-night, four-hour premiere of the eighth season.

This season sees Bauer, played by Kiefer Sutherland, beginning to plan his new life away from the counter-terrorism business. That is, until he gets wind of a plot to assassinate Middle Eastern peace-keeping leader Omar Hassan, played by "Slumdog Millionaire" (2008) star Anil Kapoor.

It's not surprising that Kapoor's first American television role is a big one, a regular spot on one of the highest-profile shows on TV. He is considered a Bollywood icon and one of India's most prominent actors, with more than 100 credits to his name.

Fans of the show can look forward to the return of Gregory Itzin, reprising his role as the disgraced former president Charles Logan. Logan was last seen in Season 6 after being stabbed by his first lady. Itzin's return marks the first time the show's two Emmy-nominated presidents will share the screen, when sitting President Allison Taylor, played by Cherry Jones, enlists Logan to help with an escalating international diplomatic crisis centered around the peace conference she is leading.

"I'm always amazed to see what Howard (Gordon, the show's executive producer) and everyone else have written, and, six months later, you start to see what was taking place -- in Iran and with the general election -- and just how, thematically, these guys seem to be in tune with what's happening in the world," said Sutherland at a news conference in July. "They've done it again this year. I think we all have a great hope for this kind of peace to happen, and obviously when those opportunities present themselves, there are also threats, and that's basically what our Season 8 is about."

Kiefer Sutherland and Freddie Prinze Jr. star in "24"

For anyone unfamiliar with the show, "24" is a global-scale espionage-themed series shown in near-real time, with each season representing an always-eventful 24-hour period in the life of its characters, and revolving around Sutherland in the lead as Jack Bauer -- Sutherland is in fact the only character to appear in every single episode of the series.

Each episode is one hour in that season's day, and a digital clock on the screen counts the minutes, elapsing even during the commercial breaks. The show often uses split screens to show the audience what is happening to multiple characters at any given time.

Day 8, as it is known in the "24" universe, unfolds in New York City, in convenient proximity to UN headquarters. The CTU has been upgraded and is being led by the sharp-as-a-tack Brian Hastings, played by "24" newcomer Mykelti Williamson, who, as the CTU's main advocate in the government, has a lot riding on the day's mission.

Viewers might recognize Williamson from the big-screeners "Forrest Gump" (1994), "Ali" (2001) and, most recently, 2009's "The Final Destination."

Also new to the show and the CTU this season is Freddie Prinze Jr., star of such '90s teen flicks as "She's All That" and the "I Know What You Did Last Summer" series. Prinze stars as Cole Ortiz, head of the division's field operations and an ex-Marine who has ideas of becoming the next Jack Bauer.

Other newcomers to the show this season include Katee Sackhoff, of "Battlestar Galactica" fame, and Jennifer Westfeldt, previously seen on "Grey's Anatomy."

Rami Malek, who appeared in both "Night at the Museum" films, will play Marcos, a would-be suicide bomber with sympathies toward radical Islam; and Julian Morris, who appeared in a multi-episode arc on the last season of "ER," appears this season as a CTU SWAT agent. Hrach Titizian, who appeared in brief story arc on "24" in 2007, will appear this season as a different character, Nabeel, the second-in-command of security for President Hassan.

At the end of this season, "24" will have become the longest-running espionage series in television history. As it stands now, '60s hit "The Avengers" has it beat by years of broadcast, and that same era's "Mission: Impossible" is ahead by number of episodes.

But "24" is certainly ahead in the number of accolades, having earned itself an impressive 18 Emmy awards over the course of its run, including top drama series and best dramatic actor for Sutherland in 2006, and outstanding supporting actress in 2009 for Jones's portrayal of President Taylor.

"24" has also been nominated for eight Golden Globe awards and won two -- one for best television series and another for best performance by an actor, again for Sutherland.

It remains to be seen whether "24" will air for a ninth season, but there has been buzz surrounding a possible movie.

Sutherland has been quoted as saying "there's only so much you can do to Jack before you lose realism. I think a movie would be a good way to end this story."