Annie Wersching came in the top 10 of BuddyTV’s “The Best Drama Supporting Actresses on TV” with them saying “Her death was the impetus for the end of the season, but it was her twisted role as a loose cannon going undercover with the Russians that really impressed us.”
Over at TVWithoutPity, “Annie Wersching went psycho and broken in ways that horrified even Jack Bauer.”
But what was most important about Renee was the fragile place she was in, after the events of last season and the dark places she went. This quickly turned into the most interesting story element in the early episodes of the season, particularly once we saw Renee brutally cut a man’s thumb off, shocking both the audience and Jack himself in the process. Wersching did strong work showing her characters’ pain and emotional instability and she and Sutherland continued to work very well off one another, as Renee gave Jack Bauer his best potential match in the history of the show.
Source: IGN TV’s 24 Season 8 Review
Annie Wersching’s Renee Walker has come in at sixth place in Mania.com’s “20 WTF TV Character Deaths” list:
6. FBI Agent Renee Walker, 24 (2010)
Renee Walker (Annie Wersching) joined forces with Jack Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland) in Season 7 of 24, becoming a fan-favorite character. She appeared this season as very emotionally troubled and on the outs with the FBI. Nonetheless, she assisted CTU and even saved Jack’s life. In a tender moment, Renee and Jack made love, both of these tormented warriors leaving behind their emotional baggage. Moments after the two consummated their relationship, a sniper’s bullet ended Renee’s life, upping the angst level. Jack is now out for blood. He disemboweled Renee’s murderer (Joel Bissonnette) after torturing him. The final hours of 24 are ticking by, proving once again that nobody’s safe and there’s no such thing as a happy ending for poor Jack (this list doesn’t get much better for him).
Game Informer says that Annie would make a great female Shepard in the upcoming Mass Effect movie:
Female Shepard – Annie Wersching (24)
Annie played federal agent Renee Walker in seasons 7 and 8 of 24, so she clearly has experience with pointing guns at things and questioning terrorists. Put a space rifle in her hands, switch aliens out for terrorists, and you’ve got a dead-on female Shepard.
Meanwhile, TVDoneWright.com lists Wersching as their casting wish for Law and Order: Los Angeles.
CNN.com writer Dereyck Moore listed five of the most unforgettable 24 series moments and Renee Walker’s character was on the short list of those honored.
The OMG! Jack’s Gonna Hunt You Down! award
The murder of Renee Walker – As loyal fans of “24,” we all know Jack’s seen his share of tragedies, but few compare to the murder of Renee Walker this past season. As the sniper’s bullet pierced the window, some clever editing made the moment that much more poignant. By the time the tense few minutes ended, the look on Jack’s face as he was told Renee had been killed was absolutely stunning. Then, in an instant, his pain turned quickly to the need for vengeance.
Source: CNN.com TV Recap: ’24′ no more
As part of FOX’s “#damnitchloe” question and answer session/live chat on Twitter, Mary Lynn Rajskub was asked by a fan “If you could be any 24 character, male or female [other than Chloe O'Brian] who would you be?” and Mary Lynn answered the question correctly by saying Renee Walker!
@insaneblondie #dammitchloe jack bauer or renee walker or president taylor or a really really bad guy
mary lynn rajskub
rajskub
Source: Mary Lynn Rajskub tweet
TV Guide’s William Keck caught up with 24 cast members at the series finale event and asked cast members about their favorite scenes or characters in 24.
Annie Wersching (Renee Walker): “My character cutting the thumb off [in Season 8] was pretty cool. Jack usually gets the cool torture scenes, so the fact that I got my own hacksaw moment meant a lot.”
Annie Wersching chats with Sky One about Renee Walker’s death and why she felt like she died three 24 deaths.
Jack Bauer brutally tortures and murders Pavel Tokarev in order to avenge Renee Walker’s death. Starts with an old-fashioned beat-down, he ups the ante with pliers, then lighter fluid, a blowtorch, and finishes him off with a knife to the gut. So satisfying to watch Pavel scream like a pig. This is what happens when you mess with Jack’s lover.
As part of a larger interview with 24 showrunner Howard Gordon, he listed Renee Walker’s badass return in episode 4 as one of his favorite moments this season and praises Annie Wersching’s performance.
I think we had some phenomenally exciting moments. My first really exciting moment was when Renee took off Ziya’s thumb. I loved that moment, the way she played it.
It was just a beautiful, beautiful performance and one that was not necessarily in the script, the way she sort of sexualized the character was a great moment.