‘24’ veteran Jon Cassar to produce and direct new episodes

Another key component of Fox’s “24” will be back when the show returns with new episodes next season.

Jon Casse\ar, a producer and director on the thriller from Seasons 2 through 7, has signed on to executive produce and direct several episodes of “24: Live Another Day,” which will debut in 2014.

“Jon was a profoundly integral part of ‘24’ creatively and culturally. It doesn’t feel like it would be ‘24’ without him, and we’re all just really thrilled to be working with him again,” said Howard Gordon, the longtime “24” show runner.

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The show, which starred Kiefer Sutherland as anti-terrorism agent Jack Bauer, was a hit for Fox for eight seasons. The network is bringing it back next spring with new episodes to run through the summer. The move is meant not only to give the network a ratings boost at the end of the traditional fall-spring season, but also to have fresh content during the summer.

Bringing back “24” is just one of many moves Fox is making after a difficult season with few new hits and some old veterans including “American Idol” starting to fade.

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Follow Joe Flint on Twitter @JBFlint.