KIEFER SUTHERLAND’s 24 SECRET

NationalEnquirer.com

 KIEFER SUTHERLAND was Jack Bauer to the rescue when he risked the reboot of his hit series “24” for  co-star Mary Lynn Rajskub!

Sources say the Emmy-winning actor demanded that Rajskub return as fan favorite Chloe O’Brian, a ditsy but brilliant systems analyst and Bauer’s close confidante – and producers agreed.

“Fox and Imagine Entertainment were perfectly willing to do the new ‘24’ series with Kiefer as the only returning cast member,” an industry insider told The ENQUIRER.

“It would have saved them a bundle. The deal was pretty much done until Kiefer put his foot down about Mary. He didn’t care what it cost – he wanted Chloe back on the show or the show was dead.”

The reboot, titled “24: Live Another Day,” will air in spring 2014, with Chloe on board and Rajskub, 42, getting a 100 percent raise in episode fees, all arranged by Kiefer, the source revealed.

“Mary’s in real shock over Kiefer’s loyalty – at least to the Chloe character,” said the source. “They were never really close off the set. He thinks her character, Chloe, is the glue that holds the series together.”

Meanwhile, Rajskub – who has a 5-year-old son with actor hubby Matthew Rolph – is anxious to start filming, said the source.

“Mary’s thrilled for the work – and the cash!” said the source.