With 24: Legacy set to take over primetime in January, everybody has been talking about Kiefer Sutherland heading back to that danger-filled universe as the all-powerful Jack Bauer. But little did we know that the real CTU reunion was actually going to come to Sutherland's new ABC drama Designated Survivor, as 24 vet Mykelti Williamson has joined the cast for a pretty big role.
The basic premise behind Designated Survivor involves Kiefer Sutherland's Tom Kirkman going from a lower-tier cabinet member in Washington D.C. who gets thrust into the limelight as President after a terrorist attack effectively kills off everyone ahead of him in line for the position. A similar occupational advancement comes to Mykelti Williamson's Admiral Chernow, who is the Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. With a strong military background, Chernov will put his intelligence and his chutzpah to work as one of Kirkman's most trusted advisors in the horrific aftermath.
It's unclear just how much good advice we're going to get from Admiral Chernov, as Deadline reports Mykelti Williamson has only been tapped for a recurring role in Designated Survivor's first season. Considering the actor wasn't in the pilot, we don't know when he'll end up popping up, either. Here's hoping this is more because he joined late rather than a sign that he'll be making an early exit. After all, the terrorist attack that destroyed D.C.'s elite is only the first in a line of potentially deadly incidents.
As you'll probably recall, Mykelti Williamson was one of the last obstacles that Jack Bauer had to deal with, as the actor played the bureaucratic Special Agent Brian Hastings, whose efficiency standards were challenged by Jack and Chloe. Interestingly, Williamson also teamed up with Kiefer Sutherland on the Fox drama Touch after 24 initially ended. Since then, he's been all over TV, with roles on Nashville, Justified, Underground, and more. Earlier this year, he reprised his CSI: NY character of Chief Brigham SInclair on CBS' Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders. He'll also be seen in the BET drama Rebel.
With hopefully plenty more 24 cast members set to be announced as future cast members, Designated Survivor will bring TV audiences back into the oval office on Wednesday, September 21, at 10:00 p.m. ET. Head to our fall TV schedule to see when all your other favorite stars will be back on the small screen.
