Bill Buchanan
| Bill Buchanan | |
|---|---|
| 24 character | |
James Morrison as Bill Buchanan
|
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| First appearance | Day 4 – Episode 15 |
| Last appearance | Day 7 – Episode 13 |
| Portrayed by | James Morrison |
| Days | 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| Information | |
| Spouse(s) | Karen Hayes |
| Significant other(s) | Michelle Dessler |
Bill Buchanan is a fictional character in 24. Played by James Morrison, the character is the head of the Los Angeles Counter Terrorist Unit (CTU) from the fourth season to the sixth season, when he is forced to step down. In between Season 5 and 6, he married Karen Hayes. He returns in Season 7, working outside of official agencies to uncover a terrorist plot that goes to the highest levels of government.
According to a New York Times review by Walter Dawkins, Bill Buchanan functions as a stoic center figure for the show's Counter Terrorist Unit. Executive producer Howard Gordon describes the balance Buchanan provides: "We feel like we don't want to take his hand off the steering wheel because it's so steady. He's sort of the grown-up in the room, the straight man for other people who certainly make it a more colorful place to watch."
The occasions when Buchanan's temper does flare carry dramatic weight because of their rarity. Dawkins notes a brief outburst when a terrorist escapes during season six, episode four for being "as explosive as anything else that hour". Actor James Morrison describes the importance of such scenes. "If you pick those moments where he does have that quick explosion, then everyone will take notice."
Buchanan has a Bachelor of Arts in English from Brown University. Prior to becoming the Special Agent in Charge at the LA CTU office, he was the Associate Special Agent in Charge at the Los Angeles Division office. Buchanan started his career as an agent with the New York Domestic Unit.
Bill Buchanan is sent to CTU to help oversee operations during Day 4, particularly the Jack Bauer-Behrooz Araz trade off, an idea that Buchanan had initially disagreed with. When he realizes that there are no viable alternatives, Buchanan decides to proceed with the exchange.
Following the destruction of the trackers on Behrooz, Jack informs Buchanan that he was able to short circuit some wires where he had been detained. Jack leads a strike team to the location, storming it, only to have the location destroyed by Marwan.
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Wikipedia