24 paved the way for Obama, says producer (VIDEO)

24's executive producer John Cassar says that the hit US show paved the way for Barack Obama to become president.

Jon Cassar said that 24 had influenced the public with its popular depiction of an African-American president in the first series.

Jon, talking exclusively to whatsontv.co.uk, said: “Being a television show and being in 12 million homes a week... means that we can open the eyes of people in America that would not ever consider something like that as a possibility.

"They get to watch it on a weekly basis on an entertainment show and get comfortable with it and - when he is such a good president as David Palmer was - they get comfortable with the idea that it is possible.

“Whether we can take credit for it? I really don’t think so. Obama can take credit for it for the wonderful job he did in getting elected and the wonderful platform he ran on."

Dennis Haysbert (pictured) played President David Palmer alongside Kiefer Sutherland in the first five seasons on the show.

But Jon said that even though the writers on 24 have an ‘uncanny’ ability to imagine real world events before they happen, they do not always get it right. In 24 Day 7, which shows every Monday at 9pm on Sky1 and Sky1 HD, the president is a woman.

"There is no doubt in my mind that having Cherry Jones as a president will open doors potentially for a female president," he added.

CLICK below to watch Jon Cassar explaining how 24 allowed Americans to imagine a black President



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