Yes, Prime Minister! Stephen Fry cast as British leader in 24: Live Another Day

The actor and comedian will star alongside Jack Bauer in the second series

Stephen Fry has been cast as the British Prime Minister in the new series of acclaimed Fox drama 24, it has been revealed.

The actor and comedian, 56, will star alongside Kiefer Sutherland, who is returning to his role as counter-terrorist agent Jack Bauer.

Fry confirmed the news in a tweet after reading an exclusive article on Hollywood insider website Deadline.

He will play recurring character Prime Minister Trevor Davies, a “strong and charismatic leader” whose relationship with President James Heller, played by William Devane, becomes extremely strained as a result of “personal and political crises”.

The 12-part second series, 24: Live Another Day, will continue four years after the last ended, with Bauer on the run from the CIA in London.

Fox is due to air the first episode of 24: Live Another Day with a two-hour special on 5 May. UK fans will be able to watch it soon afterwards on Sky 1. All other episodes will last an hour.

While the action will once more take place over a single day, it will jump around in time rather than follow a rigid hour-by-hour structure.

Original cast members Mary Lynn Rajskub and Kim Raver will also appear in the new season.

Speaking about his return to the series, Sutherland told the Television Critics Association: "The response to 24 is unlike anything I have ever experienced as an actor before. There’s a great impetus for all of us to create something new with the show.

"To have the chance to reunite with the character Jack Bauer is like finding a lost friend.