USA Today reports that "Lord of the Rings" actor Sean Astin has signed on for the fifth season of Fox thriller series "24" which begins its uninterrupted run with a two-night four-hour premiere on January 8th & 9th.

Season 5 will pick up 18 months later, with hero Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), having faked his death, now living with Diane (Britton) and her son, Derek (Corbet), as the latest national security threat materializes.

A shaky President Logan (Gregory Itzin) is back, as are CTU chief Bill Buchanan (James Morrison) and key operatives Chloe (Mary Lynn Rajskub), Edgar (Louis Lombardi) and Curtis (Roger Cross). Tony (Carlos Bernard) and Audrey (Kim Raver), Jack's last love interest, also will be featured.

Thanks to 'bauer024'.