Broadway vets added to '24' cast

LOS ANGELES, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- The cast for the upcoming season of Fox TV's "24" will include two of Broadway's biggest stars.

Two-time Tony Award winner Stephen Spinella and two-time Tony nominee Jayne Atkinson, who is currently in the film "Syriana," will join the growing list of newcomers on the thriller, which premieres Jan. 15, Zap2it.com reports.

Previously announced cast additions include Sean Astin, Jean Smart, Connie Britton and Peter Weller.

Atkinson will play a "heavy-handed" Homeland Security official named Karen Hayes while Spinella has been tapped as her associate, Miles.

Atkinson earned Tony nominations in 2000 and 2003 for her work in the "The Rainmaker" and "Enchanted April" while Spinella earned two Tonys for "Angels in America."