Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock. Jack Bauer fans, we may be closer to hearing that ticking clock again. Kiefer Sutherland has confirmed that a new 24 project is actively being developed — and now has a completed outline from returning showrunner Howard Gordon. After years of teases, false starts, and nostalgic interviews, this is the clearest sign yet that the real-time thriller may live again.

In case you needed a refresher course, 24 was probably the first binge-worthy series. Remember those box sets? We couldn’t forget. Each episode played out in real time as Sutherland’s Jack Bauer — a counter terrorist operative — did his best to prevent unimaginable tragedy, with every episode playing out in real-time, while each season took place over a 24 hour day.

Speaking to Radio Times, Sutherland couldn’t hide his enthusiasm when asked whether he still imagines Bauer’s fate:

“I’ve had conversations with [series producer] Howard Gordon. He’s come up with an outline, which I think is an exciting step forward. We’ll see what happens. But I’m very open to it. And hopefully it’ll be sooner rather than later!”

24 Needs Kiefer Sutherland

That willingness matters — because for 24 diehards, Bauer’s return only works if Sutherland is the one holding the gun and shouting “We’re running out of time!”

Gordon, now working under Disney ownership after its acquisition of 20th Television, confirmed to Deadline last month that the wheels were turning, even if the studio hasn’t officially greenlit anything:

“It’s absolutely in process, there’s something we are developing.”

But he also stressed that they refused to bring 24 back just to cash in on nostalgia:

“What I really don’t want to happen is that it’s not good because I don’t think that’s fair to the show… It has to be something that you connect to.”

That hesitation is reassuring — and may explain the long gestation. Gordon admitted the creative team struggled for years to find a direction worthy of Bauer’s legacy:

“One thing we couldn’t figure out for a long time was a direction that ever held water… This feels like it could be, but it’s not formal, it’s not done.”

Sutherland says he wants back in. Gordon says there’s finally a concept they believe in. Disney isn’t ready to announce yet — but this is easily the closest the franchise has been to revival since 24: Live Another Day wrapped in 2014.