Keifer Sutherland in new 24 deal

Kiefer Sutherland has signed up for three more years with hit TV show 24 in a multi-million dollar deal, according to reports.

Hollywood Reporter said sources estimated the actor would get more than $40m (€33m) for agreeing to keep playing government agent Jack Bauer – which would make him one of the highest paid actors in a drama series.

Sutherland will also become an executive producer on the Fox show and be able to develop new TV and internet projects through his own production company.

The 39-year-old described his past five years on the show as “one of the most creative and rewarding experiences in my career“.

He said he and the show’s producers were still interested in making a 24 film but the earliest it would begin shooting would be late spring next year, Variety reported.

The deal comes as 24, which was considered groundbreaking when it made its debut in 2001, is experiencing some of its best ratings and reviews in the US.

The show is screened in real time with each set of 24 hour-long episodes making up one day.

“The writers keep managing to turn the show in on itself, coming up with something that’s well thought-out and miraculous,” Sutherland said.

The actor has won a Golden Globe award and four Emmy nominations for his performance on 24.