Most actors in '24' axed

LOS ANGELES, July 20 (UPI) -- Keifer Sutherland is the only actor returning full-time to the U.S. television show "24" for its fourth season, Fox Television has announced.

E! online reported Tuesday that virtually none of the current cast with major roles would return, but a few would appear in selected episodes when the series returns on Fox in January.

Elisha Cuthbert, who played Sutherland's daughter Kim Bauer and Dennis Haysbert, who played U.S. President David Palmer have been axed as series regulars.

Geoff Pierson, who played Palmer's nemesis Sen. John Keeler last season, is one of the only current cast member to return, said executive producer Joel Surnow.

Keeler gets promoted to president in season four, Surnow added.

Michelle Dessler, who played Reiko Aylesworth; Chase Edmunds, who played James Badge Dale; and Tony Almeida, who played Carlos Bernard, also won't return.