There's going to be a new season of 24 without Kiefer Sutherland's Jack Bauer

24: Legacy will feature an entire new cast of characters

(Fox)

The Fox Network have confirmed that the next series of 24 will be a spin-off without the show's original protagonist Jack Bauer.

Variety reports that the new series, titled 24: Legacy, will begin filming later this year with a completely new cast in place.

This means that Kiefer Sutherland - who has played the show's lead character since its original run in 2001 through to 2014's London-set limited series 24: Live Another Day - will not be returning, although there are hints that he could be "creatively involved" in the show's production.

The executive producing team (Howard Gordon, Manny Koto and Evan Katz) will all return, hoping to continue the show's success.

Replacing Bauer as 24's focus will be African-American military hero Eric Carter who, upon returning home from deployment, discovers trouble has followed him.

The story will see Carter request the assistance of Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) which leads to him setting out to prevent a US terrorist attack.

The pilot is expected to air in 2017 - as ever, events will occur in real time.