Following rumors circulating on social media sites over the past week, FOX confirmed on Monday that it will bring back the popular action series 24 in a limited 12-episode run in May of 2014.

The limited-run series will be known as 24: Live Another Day. Kiefer Sutherland will return as the show's hero Jack Bauer. Fox News reported the news on Monday citing a statement Sutherland released. The actor said, "To have the chance to reunite with the character, Jack Bauer, is like finding a lost friend."

Sutherland, who won an Emmy in the show's fifth season, has been in negotiations with showrunner Howard Gordon for some time to appear in the show's limited-run. Gordon currently executively produces the similarly themed Showtime drama Homeland, but he will also return to serve as executive producer for 24.

Plans for the series to continue with a feature film were scrapped, according to Fox Entertainment Chairman Kevin Reilly, who noted, "24 being compressed into two hours is not 24."

Speaking to reporters on Monday morning, Reilly also said that he and producers always thought that, "the spine of each season of 24 were 12 episodes containing major events, with the other 12 providing connective tissue."

A 12-episode season may  therefore prove to be a successful format for the show, though Reilly noted that they would not bring the show back every year.

The show chronicles a 24-hour period in the life of Jack Bauer who often ends up saving the day through stopping terrorism plots, deadly viruses and assassination attempts. Thus far, no other cast members have been confirmed to return other than Sutherland, who has also been the only character to appear in all eight seasons of the show.

Tags: 24 Kiefer Sutherland fox