Kiefer Sutherland starred in the groundbreaking early-2000s series '24,' which followed his character Jack Bauer preventing terrorist attacks in real-time. The show's first season concluded in 2002 with a shocking death: the killing of Bauer's wife, Teri. Sutherland was deeply troubled by this creative decision and personally contacted Gail Berman, the head of Fox Television, to argue that audiences would feel cheated after investing in 24 consecutive hours of television only to see the protagonist experience such a devastating loss.

Despite Sutherland's direct opposition, the producers moved forward with the storyline anyway. Years later, the actor reflected that he had been wrong to doubt the decision. The controversial move proved essential to the show's trajectory, helping it become a phenomenon that ran for nine seasons over 15 years, generated 12 Golden Globe nominations, and became one of the most parodied television programmes in history.