The former 24 star dismisses claims that the show influenced interrogation methods in the U.S. military
Summary
– 24 became a massive success, making Kiefer Sutherland one of the most well-paid actors on television
– The show drew criticism for its harsh interrogation scenes, with some arguing it promoted unethical tactics
– Sutherland strongly pushed back on claims that 24 was responsible for real-world military behavior
Kiefer Sutherland’s portrayal of Jack Bauer in 24 turned him into a television icon. The show, known for its real-time action and intense storytelling, made Sutherland one of the highest-paid actors in the industry. However, 24’s use of aggressive interrogation methods became a point of controversy, with critics accusing the show of glorifying torture.
In 2006, Brigadier General Patrick Finnegan, then the dean of West Point, visited the 24 set and warned that recruits viewed Bauer’s tactics as a legitimate way to extract information. Finnegan even suggested the series include a scenario where torture fails.
Sutherland refused to accept that a fictional television show could be blamed for real-world events. Speaking to The Independent, he made his stance clear.
The second Finnegan made the comment public as if somehow 24 would become your excuse for Abu Ghraib… you must be kidding me. That I won’t accept. To use 24, a television show, as a scapegoat for the behavior of the United States military is just absolutely asinine.
While the debate over 24’s ethics continued, Sutherland explored a different side of his creativity—music. With encouragement from his friend Jude Cole, he co-founded Ironworks, an independent record label, and in 2016, he released his first album, Down in a Hole.
Despite its controversies, 24 remains one of the most influential action series ever, shaping modern television storytelling.
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