The eighth season of 24 finds heroic Jack Bauer (apparently) alive and, at least partially, recovered from his exposure to the pathogen in year seven.

Thus far, we know that only Cherry Jones, Mary Lynn Rajskub, and Annie Wersching are back as series regulars. Others in the cast include Mykelti Williamson, Chris Diamantopoulos, Katee Sackhoff, John Boyd, Freddie Prinze Jr., and Anil Kapoor. Elisha Cuthbert and Bob Gunton will be back in recurring roles and one would guess that fan-favorite Glenn Morshower will return at some point.

As the countdown clock brings us closer to January 17th’s premiere, Rajskub (dour Chloe O’Brian) has conceded that she thinks the 24 series finale is near. She said, “I definitely think the end is in sight, but having said that, I don’t know if it’s going to be this year. I’m dying to know, but I think we’ll have a better idea later this month.”

“If the numbers are exceptional, there’s a really good chance we’ll do another year. I think we need at least another year, but there are so many factors that go into it.”

In truth, it surprises Rajskub that the action series has lasted as long as it has. “It kind of amazes me that the show still works, to tell you the truth. We screened the first episode [of this season] and I’m on the show, and I was still just as excited. I think the show writing is better than ever. You kind of know what the concept is by now. You watch Jack, who does want to live a normal life and go with his family, but you know as a viewer, ‘Well, that’s not going to happen.’ But the way that it’s done sucks you in. You know he’s going to be torn away, but how they do it and the enjoyment of that happening still works.”

At the end of this season, 24 will become the longest-running espionage series in television history, surpassing both Mission: Impossible (in episode count) and The Avengers (in years on the air).

It is also the last season under FOX’s current contract. In August, Kevin Reilly, FOX’s Entertainment President, said he thought that there was a good chance that season eight would be the end. He noted, “There are a lot of moving parts, so we’re not sure what will happen after that.”

Whether the series ends this season or next, it seems fairly certain that we’ll see Jack Bauer continue his fight on the big-screen with a 24 movie.

Last year, the show’s executive producer, Howard Gordon, said, “My hope is to go [shoot the feature film] after the eighth season. That’s sort of what we’re aiming for. I think that a big-screen 24 will be a fitting send off for Jack.”

What do you think? Should season eight be the show’s last or would you like the series to continue on? If so, for how long?

Image courtesy FOX.