24
Guest Stars

If this truly is the last season of 24, as recent reports indicate, at least the show is going out with a snarl and a bang, courtesy of Michael Madsen.

The actor, who has perfected the role of a bad-ass in movies such as Reservoir Dogs, Thelma & Louise, Kill Bill, will guest star on an episode of the Fox drama this spring.

Madsen has been cast as Jim Ricker, an ex-military character from Jack Bauer’s past. He'll appear near the end of day eight.

He may have trouble being the perfect boyfriend on The Vampire Diaries - seriously, Stefan, you should have showed a photo of Katherine to Elena weeks ago - but Paul Wesley perfected the role of supportive husband on season seven of 24.

Many fans of the aforementioned CW hit aren't even aware that Wesley portrayed Kim Bauer's husband, Stephen, last year, but here's all the proof you need:

With the eighth (and likely final) season of 24 premiering on January 17, we've got great news for Vampire Diaries fans: Wesley will appear again as Mr. Kim Bauer.

He won't play a major role on the Fox drama, but his presence is almost enough to make up for the fact that the show is bringing Kim (aka The Most Annoying Character on Television) back into the fold.

If Tony Almeida can return, anything is possible...

A Fox press release has confirmed that Gregory Itzin will be reprising the role of villainous President Charles Logan on season eight of 24.

Late in the season, current commander-in-chief Alison Taylor (Cherry Jones) will reluctantly enlist her disgraced predecessor to help with a growing diplomatic crisis.

Logan played a major role in a terrorist scheme during season five of the drama. He was last seen getting stabbed by his mentally unstable ex-wife, Martha, on season six.

24 exec producer Howard Gordon told Entertainment Weekly the opportunity to watch Jones and Itzin go head-to-head “was simply too compelling to pass up.”

As for Tony, he's safely in custody, following the events of last year. At least we assume that's the case - but we'll be tuned in to the 24 season premiere on January 17 just to be sure. (And because Jack Bauer is our hero.)

Stephen Root - who got his big break on the underrated sitcom Newsradio and appeared as a vampire on True Blood - will come aboard season eight of 24 for a few episodes

The versatile actor will portray Ben Prady, a Department of Corrections officer that investigates the disappearances of a parolee.

Root will next be seen in the George Clooney movie Men Who Stare at Goats.

He joins Freddie Prinze Jr., Katee Sackhoff and David Anders as recognizable faces on the eighth season of 24.

Another Battlestar Galactica is set to come aboard 24.

Callum Keith Rennie, who portrayed Leoben Conoy on the beloved sci-fi drama, will be joining his former castmate Katee Sackoff on the eighth season ofthe Fox hit.

Callum, who also enjoyed a recurring role on Californication, will take on the role of Vladimir Laitanan. Exectuive producer Brannon Braga describes the character as a Russian syndicate mobster who debuts around episode six or seven.

Look for Laitanan join forces with 24's other new bad guy, Eastern European mobster Bazhaev, played by Jurgen Prochnow.