Sutherland's 24 returns for two more seasons

Hollywood hardman Kiefer Sutherland's action show 24 has been commissioned for two more seasons.

The actor - who plays agent Jack Bauer in the series, which is currently airing its sixth season - has signed a deal with Fox to keep the Emmy-winning thriller going until 2009.

Executive producer/showrunner Howard Gordon says: "We're re-creating the series. It is going to be a real-time thriller. Beyond that, it's an open book."

It is believed the seventh series will return with a different cast and a new, non-Los Angeles location.