24’s Annie Wersching

by Kurt Anthony Krug

Annie Wersching confessed that she secretly has a desire to be a Disney princess as she sang a few lines from The Little Mermaid. That’s very hard to believe, considering her role as a spitfire FBI Agent Renee Walker on 24 in Season 7. Renee was the most popular character in Season 7 and gave 24 a much-needed shot of adrenaline. Fans were happy that she returned for the 8th season, which began in mid-January. Like Kiefer Sutherland’s Jack Bauer, Renee is not above bending the rules for the greater good.

“I think (Renee) was brought up pretty much by the books, and she came into the FBI following the rules and wanting to play by the law, then I was chained to Jack Bauer and all sorts of interesting things happened. He can be quite the influence,” explained Wersching, laughing. “I just think it’s fascinating that Jack has in some form finally met someone who’s his match: either physically on the field or going after terrorists. I think it’s really interesting that he sees himself in her, when he was still struggling with how you deal with these things you have to do. It’s a very interesting mentor thing that came about.”

She continued, “People love Jack Bauer, so, so much. I was a fan of the show since the beginning and I was nervous how people would respond to a woman going toe-to-toe with him. Jack and Renee had such a really, really unique relationship after only knowing each other for just one day… I think it had to do with the fact that she was no-nonsense and sometimes did what she needed to do. She shows the human side of Jack that was in him before he went through so much, and was hardened so much. It was that other side of Jack when he was younger and he was struggling. She helped make him more human and his ways made her a little less, so it’s a really interesting flip they did.”

According to Wersching, the 24 creators had trouble giving Renee direction regarding her characterization and age. Wersching was called off because plans were underway to make Renee older, then she got called back the same day to audition. So it wasn’t the intention to make Renee a female Jack, but it headed in that direction and they went with it, which made sense in the end. Renee was the last major role to be cast. The first time Wersching met Sutherland was the first day of shooting.

“I’m so incredibly happy to be back for Season 8. There’s always (the risk) you don’t want to get typecast as the same thing and blah, blah, blah. I really find Renee to be so incredibly fascinating and so multi-dimensional. She has so much going on. It’s not like she’s only the fearless tough chick; two seconds later then, she’s conflicted and emotional and messed up about what she did.

The fact that I get to play so many different levels within the tough chick - I think it’s one of the coolest roles on TV. I may be slightly biased, but I’m just so lucky. I’m perfectly fine being remembered as Renee. Obviously, I want to do other roles, but I’m lucky Renee has a lot of levels to her…. I’m pretty darn happy to be back for Season 8.”

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