If one of the key players behind Fox’s hit drama series “24” had gotten his way, protagonist Jack Bauer, played by Kiefer Sutherland, would have been killed off at the end of the series. That key player, according to a report on The New York Post’s Page Six, was Sutherland himself.

The report quotes “24” co-creator and writer Howard Gordon talking about the series at the Cannes Lions festival. Said Gordon: “Kiefer actually wanted Jack Bauer to die, and we had many conversations about it. … Many of us, including his agent, tried to talk him out of it, but then there was an edict from very high up [within Fox] and Jack Bauer is still alive.”

The Post adds: “Gordon said Sutherland’s desire to kill Bauer was inspired by the actor’s ambition to ‘do something different,’ but also his somewhat ‘self-destructive personality.’ But he added, ‘We were ready to move on. We all felt that character’s story has been told.’”

The report also notes: “Sutherland had said last year, ‘”24” is definitely over now for me … It’s one of the greatest gifts I’ve been given as an actor. But it’s moving on without me.’ However, earlier this year, he softened his stance, saying, ‘I’ve learned enough over the last few years to not say “never.”‘”