Gregory Itzin returning to Fox's '24'

Actor set to reprise role as villainous ex-president

By Nellie Andreeva

One of "24's" favorite villains, former President Charles Logan, is coming back.

Gregory Itzin, nominated for an Emmy for his role on the Fox real-time drama, has signed for a multiepisode arc on the upcoming eighth season.

The disgraced former president last was seen during Season 6 flatlining en route to a hospital after being stabbed by his wife, Martha Logan (Jean Smart).

At the opening of Season 7, FBI agent Renee Walker (Annie Wersching) told Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) that Logan is alive and under house arrest, but he never was heard from again.

In the upcoming season, sitting President Taylor (Cherry Jones) reluctantly enlists Logan to assist with an escalating international diplomatic crisis.

"The opportunity for these two remarkable actors to share the stage was simply too compelling to pass up," "24" executive producer/showrunner Howard Gordon said.

The eighth season of "24" kicks off with a two-night, four-hour premiere Jan. 17-18. Set in New York, it features a retired Bauer unwillingly drawn back into the action after learning of a plot to assassinate Middle East peacekeeper Omar Hassan (Anil Kapoor).

Other new cast members include CTU rookies Katee Sackhoff, Mykelti Williamson and Freddie Prinze Jr., who join Wersching and veteran Mary Lynn Rajskub.