Ex-Utahn suddenly exits '24': Morrison's character dies to save president

UNIVERSAL CITY, Calif. — James Morrison wasn't so much surprised that his character suddenly exited "24" (8 p.m., Ch. 13) last week — in a body bag.

He was, however, kind of surprised that his character was still around 75 episodes after he debuted in 2005.

"I was only supposed to be there for one episode," said Morrison. "There was no indication of history or future, and that's what made it so much of a challenge and so exciting, actually."

Right till the end, when Buchanan set off an explosion that killed him and some of the terrorists who had invaded the White House. And allowed Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) and the FBI to take out the rest of the terrorists.

Morrision almost didn't audition for what became a most high-profile role. He was about to fly to Hawaii on a family vacation when his manager called and told him he had to meet "24's" casting director.

"I said, 'I can't go. I'm heading out in the morning,' "

"He said, 'No, you'll have to send your family without you and come and audition for this.' And so I did," said Morrison, who met his family two days later.

And a single episode turned into three seasons — first as Jack's hard-nosed superior/nemesis, then as an ally.

Bill went from being sort of a buttoned-down bureaucrat to a man of action. This season, we saw Buchanan running a rogue operation counter to the evil forces that infiltrated the top levels of the American government. And he was "in the thick of the action."

"I think, knowing Jack Bauer, you can't meet that guy and spend much time with him without being changed — irreparably," Morrison said with a laugh.

Saving the world on "24" is a long way from his birthplace in Bountiful, where he lived until he moved to Alaska when he was 9.

"I actually went back and forth quite a bit as I was growing up," Morrison said. "I still have family in Salt Lake and West Bountiful, though."

And he has done quite a bit of theater work in Utah.

"I used to work with Salt Lake Acting Company all the time," Morrison said. "I did my first play there in the mid-'70s. I've had a play produced there, I've directed some plays there.

"So all of the theater community in the Salt Lake area are dear, dear friends. I have some solid roots there."

And his Salt Lake theater friends have been happy to see his success.