24 Creator Joel Surnow Leaves Show

24 co-creator/executive producer Joel Surnow is leaving the Emmy-winning Fox drama says The Hollywood Reporter. Surnow’s departure is effective immediately. He served as an executive producer on the first eight episodes of the seventh season that were produced before and into the strike but will not be creatively involved in the remaining 16 episodes, slated to begin filming shortly. Surnow’s overall deal with 24 producer 20th Century Fox TV was up April 30. This week, the writer-producer asked the studio to release him early, and it agreed.

Instead of signing a show deal to continue providing services on 24, Surnow decided to go for “a clean break” and leave altogether to focus on new projects. (24 co-creator/executive producer Robert Cochran’s overall pact with 20th TV also expired last year, but he continues to work on the series.) As for his departure, Surnow said it was hard to leave the show that had been “a life- and career-changing experience” but knowing that 24 was in “the capable hands of Howard Gordon” made it easier. Gordon has run 24 since Season 6.