24

Bauer is portrayed as a highly proficient agent with an "ends justify the means" approach, willing to lie, threaten, or even harm anyone who refuses to cooperate with him. Throughout the series, the plot elements contain both a political thriller and serial drama, with each episode typically ending on a cliffhanger. Bauer uses people on both sides of the law in his attempts to prevent terrorist attacks and bring down those responsible, sometimes at great personal expense. These attacks include presidential assassination attempts, bomb detonations, bioterrorism and cyberwarfare, as well as conspiracies that involve government and corporate corruption.

24 received generally positive reviews, with the fifth season being universally praised by critics. However, the series also attracted significant criticism for its depictions of torture, as well as its negative portrayal of Muslims. The show won numerous awards throughout its run, including Best Drama Series at the 2004 Golden Globe Awards and Outstanding Drama Series at the 2006 Primetime Emmy Awards. In May 2013, it was announced that 24 would return with a 12-episode limited series titled 24: Live Another Day, which aired from May 5 to July 14, 2014, bringing the episode count to 204. A spin-off series, 24: Legacy, premiered on February 5, 2017, lasting a single 12-episode season. 24 is the longest-running American espionage or counterterrorism-themed television drama, surpassing both Mission: Impossible and Britain's The Avengers.