Fox has ordered a new season of their beloved action drama 24 starring Kiefer Sutherland as Jack Bauer.

The new season of 24 moved forward quickly after Sutherland signed the dotted line. 24 season 9 will be 12 episodes and “will likely premiere” in May 2014, according to the network.

News of 24′s return initially broke last week.

The name of the new season is 24: Live Another Day. “The response to ‘24’ is unlike anything I have ever experienced as an actor before,” noted Sutherland in a press release. “To have the chance to reunite with the character, Jack Bauer, is like finding a lost friend. The story ideas from Howard Gordon are exciting and fresh, and will not disappoint. Great thanks to 20th Century Fox Television, Imagine Television and the FOX network for this opportunity. Make no mistake, my goal is to knock your socks off. See you soon.”

“Jack Bauer has always been an exciting, thrilling character, and I confess that I’ve missed him. I think the audience has too,” said executive producer Howard Gordon who served as showrunner for most of the series’ run. “The character has evolved through the years, and this new and exciting event series format is perfect to tell the next chapter of his story and continue to reflect how the world is changing. Fans can rest assured that the Jack they know and love will be back.”

On a conference call this morning, Fox President Kevin Reilly said 24 may’ve been canceled in the first place because everyone was “kind of drained creatively.”

Some reports indicate that 24 season 9 will take on a new story arc. Season 8, which aired in 2010, found Bauer fighting for his freedom. The show had been well received over its run thanks to the fast-paced storyline and strong character Sutherland created.

Since its departure from the airwaves, fans had been hoping a 24 movie would wrap the show up in a bow before it permanently headed off into the sunset. Those talks never seemed to materialized, and Fox’s decision to create a limited season of 24 appears to only have come together recently. We speculated last week that the show’s one-season revival may’ve gotten a push forward by the return of Arrested Development (premiering on Netflix later this month).

We’ll keep an eye out for any casting news concerning 24 over the next year. We hope that characters seen in season 8 will be making a return for season 9. So far, no casting announcements other than Sutherland have been confirmed or even rumored.