Fact check: Is Kiefer Sutherland making a comeback with 24 Dark Horizon? Viral poster debunked

The Facebook page YODY BBY ABY recently posted a poster of 24 Dark Horizon, which it claims is an upcoming series in the 24 franchise that will have Kiefer Sutherland return as Jack Bauer, with the caption:

"NEW SERIES OF 24!! KIEFER SUTHERLAND!!! Kiefer Sutherland returns as Jack Bauer in 24 Dark Horizon, a gripping new 24-episode season arriving on Hulu and Fox in December 2024."

However, a closer look at the Facebook page reveals it to be a satirical poster of fake news, meaning that the news of 24 Dark Horizon is false. The Facebook page's intro reads:

"I'm just here to eat frogs, lift rocks and be satirical. The page is 100% satire and fake news."

24 is an action-drama series that starred Kiefer Sutherland as the Counter Terrorism Unit agent Jack Bauer, who relied on maverick and ruthless methods to combat terroristic threats to the United States. The series ran for nine seasons, from 2002 to 2014.

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24 Dark Horizon is not happening, contrary to claim by Facebook page

The Facebook page originated this fake news and trolled users in the comment section (Image via Facebook/YODA BBY ABY)

YODY BBY ABY's announcement of 24 Dark Horizon is fake news, as can be made evident from the page's bio and its other posts, which are obviously satirical. One such post claims that Kurt Russel's son, Wyatt Russel, is taking over as Snake Plissken in John Carpenter's Escape from Earth. The movie's plot is purported to have Snake form a fraught alliance with the aliens of Area 51.

Another fake announcement talks about a sequel to 2000's Gone in 60 Seconds, which the page claims is Gone in 60 Nanoseconds. According to this satirical post, Nicholas Cage will be reprising his role as the car thief Memphis.

Additionally, this isn't the first time Sportskeeda has debunked a claim of this Facebook page, as a May 2024 article addressed a claim regarding the development of a reboot of The Office, called The Office Returns, which would have John Krasinski reprise his role.

While the YODY BBY ABY Facebook page clearly states that it posts satire and fake news, their posts can easily be shared out of context, leading to false rumors spreading online. Therefore, viewers should be cautious about taking such rumors at face value.

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24 is a classic television series

The fact that the false 24 Dark Horizon rumor took off isn't particularly surprising, given the enduring popularity and cultural significance of the original 24 TV series. The story of CTU agent Jack Bauer aired at a pivotal moment in American history, as 2001 was the same year the country faced the 9/11 terrorist attacks.

With a rattled and increasingly on-guard American public, 24's premise of counter-terrorism found its market. The series dealt with various aspects of terrorism and Jack Bauer's often questionable morals as a counter-terrorism operative.

24 ran for over a decade on American television, with the first eight seasons running from 2002 to 2010. The series went on hiatus after season 8, which was originally intended to be the final season.

Four years after season 8's conclusion, Jack Bauer's story resumed in the limited series 24: Live Another Day. It aired for 12 episodes - half the length of a typical season. Since then, Jack Bauer hasn't appeared on television, though there was a spin-off series titled 24: Legacy, which aired for one season before cancellation.

Aside from its relevant themes regarding terrorism, 24 also gained renown for its real-time format of storytelling, as each episode corresponded to a single hour. Therefore, every 24-episode season corresponded with a 24-hour day.

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24 Dark Horizon does not exist and is a fake rumor spread by a satirical Facebook page. However, interested viewers can watch 24 on Hulu and Disney Plus.