Jon Cassar DGA
Jon Cassar

Jon Cassar on Emmy Wins

How He Got the Gold: Both in 2006, as director and coexecutive producer of Fox’s 24 , named outstanding drama that year.

Now for the Noms: Three more producing nominations for 24 (2003, ’04, ’05) and another for the ReelzChannel miniseries The Kennedys (2011)

Speed Dial: “[Executive producers] Joel Surnow and Bob Cochran created the real-time concept for 24 , and it gave the show such energy and drive that the pace had to be dialed up to match the minute-by-minute tension they created. Many dramas that followed have tried to achieve that same kind of pacing.”

Dream Team: “The night I won the Emmys was one of the best nights of my life. What made the night special was that we won as a team, including all the writers, producers, some of our tech crew — and Kiefer [Sutherland] won for best actor. It was truly a surprise because it came for our fifth season. We were used to being the bridesmaid but never the bride.”

When Jack Came Back: “Kiefer and I were both a little nervous to bring such an iconic character [Jack Bauer] back to television [24: Live Another Day in 2014] after nearly a five-year absence. Our concern was to make sure that he was still the character with the unwavering moral compass who will always pay the price to keep his country safe.”

Source Television Academy