Karen Hayes
| Karen Hayes | |
|---|---|
| 24 character | |
| File:Karen Hayes.jpg Jayne Atkinson as Karen Hayes | |
| Portrayed by | Jayne Atkinson |
| Appearances | 5, 6 |
Karen Hayes is a fictional character on the television program 24 portrayed by actress Jayne Atkinson. She appeared as a recurring character in twelve episodes of the fifth season and was a main cast member in eighteen episodes of the sixth season.
Concept and creation
Actress Laurie Metcalf was originally cast as Karen Hayes before being replaced by Jayne Atkinson.[1] Producer Howard Gordon praised Metcalf's acting abilities, but said "the role was not the right fit for the actress" and they mutually agreed to recast the part.[1]
Characterization
Before joining the United States Department of Homeland Security, Hayes was an FBI agent. She worked within the FBI's Counterterrorism Division, eventually becoming Senior Agent and later a Division Agent in Charge.
Hayes has a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from Princeton University.[2] Atkinson says that her character is cautious especially when it comes to "civil liberties and profiling a certain population."[3]
Appearances
Hayes is the Division Director of the United States Department of Homeland Security's Los Angeles branch at the time of Day 5. Vice President Hal Gardner authorizes her to absorb and essentially replace the workers at CTU - Los Angeles after a major terrorist attack leaves many of CTU's original employees dead.
She gradually grows suspicious of her superiors when President Charles Logan issues an executive order for the detainment and arrest of Jack Bauer[4] and later says that he will use the military to capture him.[5] She learns from Mike Novick that Logan never contacted the military about Bauer and that no member of the executive office has yet seen Logan's "evidence" against Bauer. Based on the President's actions in the preceding hours, Hayes is convinced that Logan is indeed manipulating CTU in order to kill Bauer.
After Jack successfully obtains a confession from Logan, Hayes prepares to leave CTU for the day. She acknowledges to Buchanan that she will strongly recommend to newly appointed President Gardner that he remain as Special Agent in Charge of CTU. At the end of the day, Buchanan asks to have breakfast with Hayes, though she asks for a raincheck.
Karen returns to Day 6, married to Bill Buchanan.[3] She had also been appointed as the White House National Security Advisor to President Wayne Palmer, several months previously.[6] She frequently argues with Tom Lennox over plans of creating detention facilities and presidential pardon for Hamri Al-Assad. She briefly resigns after Tom Lennox threatens to expose the files that show that her husband released Fayed who is revealed to be a terrorist.[7] At one point, she reluctantly fires Bill Buchanan to save her career.[8]
However, Karen returns when she learns of a failed assassination plot against Wayne Palmer. She helps Wayne Palmer stay in power when Vice President Noah Daniels attempts to invoke the 25th Amendment to become the President.
When Phillip Bauer offers to trade this component in exchange for his grandson Josh Bauer, Karen decides to defend Josh's rights and opposes the deal. When Tom and Daniels go on to do so, she secretly helps Jack Bauer to intervene. Although she is arrested for insubordination, Tom persuades Daniels to grant a pardon to Karen and Bill who will resign in return.[9]
Critical reception
![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2008) |
References
- ^ a b "ROSEANNE - METCALF BOWS OUT OF 24". ContactMusic. 2005-12-19. Retrieved 2008-07-05.
- ^ FOX 24- Character biography
- ^ a b Supporting players get to shine
- ^ Writer: David Fury Director: Brad Turner (2006-04-10). "11:00 PM - 12:00 AM". 24. Season 5. Episode 113.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help) - ^ Writer: Howard Gordon Director: Brad Turner (2006-04-17). "12:00 AM - 1:00 AM". 24. Season 5. Episode 114.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help) - ^ On TV: As Day 6 of '24' unfolds, a new Jack Bauer steps into action
- ^ Writers: Joel Surnow and Michael Loceff Director: Milan Cheylov (2007-01-29). "11:00 AM - 12:00 PM". 24. Season 6. Episode 126.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help) - ^ Writers: Joel Surnow and Michael Loceff Director: Brad Turner (2007-04-23). "12:00 AM - 1:00 AM". 24. Season 6. Episode 139.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help) - ^ Writer: Robert Cochran, Manny Coto, and David Fury Director: Brad Turner (2007-05-21). "5:00am-6:00am". 24. Season 6. Episode 144.
{{cite episode}}: Unknown parameter|serieslink=ignored (|series-link=suggested) (help)
External links
- Character biography on the official 24 website
Unexpected use of template {{24}} - see Template:24 for details.