It’s been four years since the thrill ride that was 24 graced our screens; the multi-award winning drama was famous for its tense nature, and hooked fans for 8 gripping seasons. Now it’s back, and the show’s central star Kiefer Sutherland is terrified of making the return.

Keifer SutherlandKeifer Sutherland, 24 Star, Chilling in Shorts

"I'm terrified. I won't lie to you. Until we start shooting, I'm about as anxious and wound up as I've been in a long time," Keifer admitted to reporters at the Television Critics Association meeting in California yesterday, according to The Daily Mail.

"I used to get terrified between each season. I'm very nervous. Without patting ourselves on the back too hard, we made eight very strong years. We always would look back every season and wish something had been better, but I was very proud. So to make 12 more episodes and not make them the best 12 we've ever made, I'm terrified," he added.

The new series will launch on Fox on May 5 with a two-hour long show. It will then resume its regular one-hour slot from May 12, but until then, the task of shooting the new episodes awaits Sutherland et al, and the London location is something he’s looking forward to.

"I've spent big chunks of my life there, but I'm anxious. We plan to be shooting outside. I'm sure we'll be hated by a large portion of London for snarling up their traffic, and for that I apologise in advance," the London-born Kiefer explained.

24 was the recipient of numerous awards, including Best Drama Series at the 2003 Golden Globe Awards and Outstanding Drama Series at the 2006 Primetime Emmy Awards. It has, however, been criticised for portraying torture as a fruitful means of obtaining information and negative depictions of the Muslim community.

Kiefer Sutherland is back as Jack