The “24h chrono” series has seen many villains and antagonists, and not only enemies knocking on the door of the United States. Because, it is well known, evil sometimes hides where you least expect it…
It is an understatement to say that the 24h chrono series, created by the tandem Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran, has made a lasting impression on the minds and history of the small screen, with its story unfolding in real time, or almost. Millions of (television) viewers have had their nerves on edge more than once, in front of the (mis)adventures of Kiefer Sutherland, alias Jack Bauer.
Jack Bauer, tireless and tireless agent of the CTU, the spirit of sacrifice pegged to the body, more angry than ever and above all capable of a brutality at least equal, sometimes more, than that of his adversaries. Opponents who always had the gift of seeing things on a very large scale, regularly going in search of nuclear and/or bacteriological weapons, depending on the season.
And, of course, Jack’s opponents weren’t just outside enemies knocking on America’s door. On the contrary, there were countless double agents or those seeking revenge, and other conspirators of all kinds, inside the country itself. It is well known that evil sometimes hides where you least expect it…
Hence the idea of drawing up a selection of the 10 best villains in the series!
Dennis Hopper aka Victor Drazen
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If the late Dennis Hopper began his career in a series – “Medic” in 1955 – it is mainly for his roles in the cinema that we know him. He made his debut alongside James Dean in Géant and La Fureur de vivre, then distinguished himself in cult films such as Speed, Easy Rider (which he also directed), Blue Velvet and Waterworld… 24, he interpreted the first great rival of Jack Bauer, Victor Drazen. A warlord of Serbian origin, nicknamed “the Butcher of Belgrade”, pursues revenge on Jack for carrying out an operation that led to the death of his wife and daughter. And, precisely, our hero will end up killing him in a fit of rage, believing that he killed his daughter.
Sarah Clarke aka Nina Myers
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Inseparable from Victor Drazen in season 1, who hires him to play the mole within the CTU, Nina Myers, wonderfully embodied by Sarah Clarke, is the one through whom the drama happens. Double agent and ex-lover of Jack Bauer, she sows the corpses behind her to keep her cover in place, including Jack’s unfortunate wife, in the final episode of the season which reaches emotional heights. If she benefits from a presidential pardon granted in season 2, this does not prevent her from seeking to get her hands on a biological weapon in season 3, resuming her good old habits as a mercenary. Jack Bauer will have his revenge on her for the murder of his wife, since he ends up killing her with a bullet.
Tobin Bell, aka Peter Kingsley
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You probably forgot him, because he is now mainly associated with the endless saga of torture porn Saw, to be the brilliant and sick brain of the franchise. But Tobin Bell played in the 24 hour series! Appearing in season 2 for four episodes, he played a terrorist named Peter Kingsley. A role ultimately short, but which remains one of the most significant. He also passed from life to death by a well-aimed shot from a sniper.
Joaquim de Almeida, aka Ramon Salazar
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At the head of a Mexican cartel alongside his brother, baptized Las Nieves, Ramon Salazar gave Jack Bauer a hell of a hard time in the 24 hour season 3. Camped by the impeccable Joaquim de Almeida, often subscribed to the roles of Caïd (remember, he was also the mafia boss in Desperado!) Salazar wanted to spread a deadly virus, while managing the time he had there remained his little drug dealing. Business is business! He would die in an explosion under the eyes of Jack Bauer, not really sorry to see him scattered like a puzzle.
Arnold Vosloo aka Habib Marwan
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The 4th day of Jack Bauer is marked by… A new terrorist! It was the South African actor Arnold Vosloo who took on the role of the villainous Habib Marwan. And the least that can be said is that he has proved to be extremely effective in his terrorist enterprise given the devastation he has caused, with the theft of nuclear codes from the presidency of the United States leading to the death of 20,000 people. Besides, he did everything himself. And he is the only character in the series to take his own life by jumping off a bridge, so that Jack does not capture him. Initially planned to appear only for a few episodes, Vosloo proved to be so good in his role that the production decided to keep him in the plot for much longer. Good pick !
Peter Weller aka Christopher Henderson
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In addition to Julian Sands, in the role of a Russian billionaire whose neck Jack Bauer will not take long to wring, season 5 was marked by the presence of Peter Weller, a former agent of the CTU gone to the dark side of the force who ” will kill” Tony Almeida and attacked Jack, whom he held responsible for his ousting from CTU. Robocop in 24 hours, it’s still very nice!
James Cromwell aka Phillip Bauer
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In season 6 of 24h chrono, Jack Bauer’s worst enemy is… His own father, Phillip Bauer, who works together with his evil son, Graham Bauer! A very infrequent family, creators in particular of a company called BXJ Technologies, already involved in the assassination of President Palmer in season 5… Played by the always impeccable James Cromwell, Phillip Bauer will not even have any hesitation in killing his son Graham, captured by Jack, so that his evil plans are not compromised. Devilish we tell you!
Jon Voight, aka Jonas Hodges
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In season 7, Jon Voight plays a memorable villain. In this case Jonas Hodges, CEO of the private military company Starkwood, which finances the rebels’ war in Sangala, an imaginary African country. His trick is to pull the string of terrorism to blackmail the government into making him (well, his company) the sole beneficiary of arms deals. And he stops at nothing to achieve his ends, going so far as to have the president’s son killed, and even supplying the equipment to the Sangala insurgents to attack the White House. Suddenly, we were not necessarily sad to see him go up in smoke in a car bomb attack, organized by the president’s daughter who wanted revenge. It’s fair game.
Gregory Itzin, aka Charles Logan
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Charles Logan, brilliantly played by Gregory Itzin in 4 seasons, is really the character we love to hate. A sort of fictional counterpart to Richard Nixon, he turns out to be cowardly, spineless, manipulative, irresponsible and even plotting against his own country, as long as it serves his interests. The worst of the worst at the head of the First World Power. Added to this a good tendency to paranoia, he even tries, in season 8, to kill Jack Bauer.
Paul Blackthorne aka Stephen Saunders
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Of all the profiles of the villains in the 24 hour series, that of Stephen Saunders is undoubtedly the most “James Bondesque”. Incarnated with conviction by Paul Blackthorne in the season 3, he is a former British Secret Service MI6 agent. Left on a mission alongside Jack Bauer, he was abandoned in the middle of enemy territory by his team, and presumed dead for several years. In reality, the unfortunate was taken prisoner and tortured for nearly three years. Once freed, he logically has only one idea in mind: to take revenge on those who abandoned him behind enemy lines. And what could be better than getting your hands on a good old biological weapon that can kill millions of people? Even if it means taking revenge, you might as well do things big.
