Summary

• A unique structure sets 24 apart as events unfold over the course of a day.
• Key components for success include a powerful protagonist, changing storylines, and action-packed sequences.
• Shows like Nikita and Strike Back echo themes of sacrifice, tension, and unpredictable plot twists like in 24.

events of each 24 season to unfold over a day. No other show can replicate as unique and engaging of a format, but other components that play into the success of 24 are found throughout other political thrillers.

Such aspects include a powerful protagonist, tightly focused storylines that change with each season, and, of course, adrenaline-inducing action sequences. The latter is a crucial part of 24 and TV series like it, as some shows with political themes tend to prioritize dialogue over action. No show could ever replicate the magic of 24, but these shows come close and prove that the series' formula is not a fleeting success story.

10 Reacher (2022-Present)

Starring Alan Ritchson

Both strong forces to be messed with, Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson) and Jack Bauer have a lot in common, beginning with their similar military backgrounds that help them in their current careers. When facing their antagonists, both Jacks have no issue with resorting to extreme violence, especially in the later seasons of 24 when Bauer reaches a breaking point. This creates a complicated mix of emotions audiences have towards the characters, because although they're fighting for the greater good, the means of achieving this are often unfavorable.

Where Reacher and 24 differ is in the amount of violence per season.

However, choosing a path of violence also creates an increased number of gritty, eye-catching action scenes that are more than welcomed in political thrillers. Where Reacher and 24 differ is in the amount of violence per season. 24's action gradually increases over time, as well does the number of people Jack Bauer kills. Reacher's action is at a consistent high in its two seasons and sometimes the large number of action scenes land unevenly between plausibility and being over-the-top.

9 Nikita (2010-2013)

Starring Maggie Q

Just as Jack finds himself in unpleasant situations because of his job, so does the titular character of The CW's Nikita. Training with a government organization known as Division, Nikita (Maggie Q) is ordered to kill others, but, unable to abandon her moral consciousness, she doesn't follow through. Where a large part of Jack's appeal comes from his physical abilities, Nikita is a compelling protagonist because of the way her background s her present-day motives.

The frustration Nikita feels towards herself has audiences sympathizing with the character and rooting for a successful shutting down of Division, the organization that had gone rogue since Nikita escaped. Just as there are moles in 24, Nikita places her mole, Alex, in Division to gain some insight so she can take down the organization before more people are hurt. Alex as a mole isn't as impactful as someone like 24's Nina Myers or Dana Walsh, because they were against the CTU, which audiences were made to care more about. However, there is still a large sense of tension present in the series, especially when Alex is informed of Nikita's past actions.

8 Strike Back (2010-2020)

Starring Richard Armitage, Sullivan Stapleton, and Philip Winchester

Following the international missions of the British Secret Intelligence Service known as Section 20, Strike Back is packed with stakes and action scenes reminiscent of 24. Just as the CTU agents do in 24, Section 20 works to prevent terrorist attacks all around the world. The action and set pieces are just two of the fan-favorite elements of Strike Back, in addition to the suspense created by frequent changes made to the cast.

During its 10-year run, no character in Strike Back was too important to be killed — a memorable aspect of 24 as well. Richard Armitage had the responsibility of leading Strike Back season 1 before being replaced by the beloved duo of Philip Winchester and Sullivan Stapleton. This, combined with the fact that many Strike Back characters were killed off prematurely, made it so audiences were constantly on their toes and were never able to predict what might happen next.

7 The Recruit (2022-Present)

Starring Noah Centineo

The Recruit follows an ambitious law school graduate, Owen Hendricks (Noah Centineo), who s the CIA in hopes of obtaining a thrilling job. Once he s, he gets exactly what he was hoping for and finds himself wrapped up in an international conflict. With only one season so far, The Recruit already has a few connections to 24, namely the shared characteristics between Owen and Jack Bauer.

Owen, like Jack, is reckless and impulsive, getting himself into more trouble as he continues taking risks. Season 1 contains some flaws, but The Recruit has the potential to grow into something bigger if it's allowed to continue after two seasons. The Recruit has riveting action and well-written characters resembling 24. Unlike the latter series, The Recruit has more comedic moments that compliment the young spirit of Owen and alleviate the serious tone found in many thriller TV shows.

6 Prison Break (2005-2017)

Starring Dominic Purcell and Wentworth Miller

Continuing with serialized TV shows after the success of 24, Fox introduced a new series, Prison Break. The action thriller begins with Michael (Wentworth Miller) helping his brother Lincoln (Dominic Purcell) escape prison after being accused of murder. The rest of Prison Break revolves around conspiracies within the government. Prison Break is quickly paced and suspenseful like 24, but later seasons did slow down a bit and received unfavorable reviews from critics.

Prison Break achieves a connection with its audience by featuring some truly heartbreaking moments.

This is mainly due to the advantage 24 has over many thrillers in which new villains are introduced with each season. Still, Prison Break achieves a connection with its audience by featuring some truly heartbreaking moments. The tragic scenes in Prison Break were all the more devastating as audiences had the chance to spend multiple seasons with the familiar characters before they met their unfortunate fates.

5 24: Legacy (2017)

Starring Corey Hawkins

A spin-off of 24, 24: Legacy is a 12-episode revisit to the CTU that was meant to be the start of 24's franchise expansion, though those plans never came to fruition. Set three years after the finale of 24, Corey Hawkins takes over as the protagonist Eric Carter, who teams up with the CTU in Washington D.C. to prevent terrorist attacks. 24: Legacy utilizes the beloved real-time concept of the original series and is largely the same as its predecessor in every other arena.

Following Sutherland's fan-favorite performance of Bauer was not an easy task. Though critics were displeased with Legacy's inability to differentiate itself from 24, Hawkins' leading performance was full of potential as the newcomer to the CTU world. Hawkins, who earned an Emmy nomination for his dramatic role in Survive a few years later, had the skill to lead Legacy for a new wave of 24 fans.

4 Bodyguard (2018)

Starring Richard Madden

Earning acclaim for a leading performance by Richard Madden, Bodyguard is a thrilling series that combines tense action and the physiological exploration of Madden's David Budd. David's job becomes to protect Home Secretary Julia Montague, which he feels reluctant about because of their opposing political beliefs. Bodyguard then shows David conflicted over his job obligations and his PTSD from his time in the war.

In 24, Jack is similarly impacted by his work. Jack's personal life has always been intertwined with his job, but later seasons show him at his lowest point after many of his loved ones and close friends have been taken from him. His ruthlessness turns him into a noticeably different person from the already impulsive Jack shown in earlier seasons. Bodyguard examines David's mental health on a more intimate level and his methods of coping aren't as extreme, but the inclusion of such an aspect in each show is notable and often missing in other political thrillers.

3 Designated Survivor (2016-2019)

Starring Kiefer Sutherland

24 season 1 has a bold opening, an assassination attempt on Senator David Palmer, thrusting viewers into the non-stop action and life-threatening stakes that would continue for eight more seasons. The pilot of Designated Survivor begins similarly when an explosion kills everyone before Tom Kirkman in the presidential line of succession. Kiefer Sutherland, having played Jack Bauer in 24, has a more toned-down role as President of the United States.

It can be difficult to imagine Sutherland leading a political thriller and not participating in the gunfire and combat he assumed so well in 24, but luckily, the action continues around him. Various agents, led by Maggie Q's Hannah Wells, are in charge of finding those responsible for the attack. As a result of these dangerous circumstances, Designated Survivor is fast-paced and puts to use dependable narrative devices found in the best political thrillers.

2 The Night Agent (2023-Present)

Starring Gabriel Basso

Storylines in thrillers with political themes risk being convoluted at times, but The Night Agent has a fairly simple premise. Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso) engages in the search for a traitor within the United States government. The easy-to-follow concept plays into why The Night Agent was a success for Netflix and how it compares to 24.

The characters in 24, even the minor ones lasting for one season, are well-written and multidimensional.

The uncomplicated 24-hour set-up of 24 gives audiences the ability to easily digest incoming threats and the multiple new characters introduced in each season. The characters in 24, even the minor ones lasting for one season, are well-written and multidimensional. So far, the characters in The Night Agent are shaping out to be the same way. The Night Agent season 2 and consecutive seasons that follow, will give the necessary space to allow Peter, Rose, and others to develop further.

1 Jack Ryan (2018-2023)

Starring John Krasinski

Just as any political thriller does, Jack Ryan places its titular character, portrayed by John Krasinski, in various international conflicts, which results in plenty of action sequences fans of the genre expect to see. Additionally, part of what makes 24 a successful drama is Sutherland's portrayal of Jack Bauer. Audiences are fixed to their screens as they anticipate Bauer's every move when facing his enemies. Similarly, Amazon's Jack Ryan also has an unexpectedly strong protagonist performance.

Previously known best for his comedic roles, Krasinski's version of Tom Clancy's famous character is an extremely balanced performance that pulls just enough inspiration from Harrison Ford's version whilst still making it feel like his own. The character transformation Ryan goes through isn't as intense as Bauer's, but it's more rewarding. Unlike Bauer, whose continuous emotional and physical suffering from the job leads him down a dark path of vengeance, Jack Ryan becomes increasingly confident as the series progresses, leaving the everyman image from season 1 behind.