Peter MacNicol Is in for 24

FOX's continued success story "24" starring Kiefer Sutherland as one of the greatest television heroes ever to grace the small screen, the intense and unstoppable Jack Bauer, has just found itself a new regular addition to the cast. Peter MacNicol of "Numb3rs" will be leading a double life, appearing on both series, joining in "24" as a high-ranking government official. MacNicol has quite a long list of credits from which his name and face might be familiar. "Sophie's Choice" and "Ghostbusters II" were among his earliest credits. He had a recurring role on "Chicago Hope" as well as a guest spot on "Boston Legal." Also, his voice may be familiar, since he's done voices for the animated series "The Batman" and "Justice League."

With almost the entire usual returning cast whittled away in the last season of "24," some fresh blood will inevitably be called to fill the void. Many main characters died over the course of the thriller's perpetually shocking fifth season. Next year, MacNicol will bring his own Emmy-winning talent to the CTU table, having received the Award for his part on the FOX series "Ally McBeal." Season Six kicks off in January to the same tune of the "nonstop season" formula that FOX has so perfectly devised to keep the series schedule tight and suspenseful to the max. And of course, the talent will continue to be packed to the max too.