the wildly talented Wersching immediately eclipses pretty much everyone else on the screen, which ain’t an easy thing to do given the caliber of talent that show has on board — the TV Addict (12/17/08)
The new femme fatale in Jack’s life, Renee Walker (Annie Wersching) is instantly respectable, likeable and ultimately more badass than she might first appear. — Kristin Dos Santos, E! Online (12/26/08)
This puts Jack into contact with an FBI agent (credibly played by Annie Wersching) who, despite her commitment to follow the rules, must now deal with the same kind of tough ticking-clock choices Bauer tackled in the past. — Brian Lowry, Variety (1/6/09)
new characters are wonderfully drawn, including FBI agent Walker (Annie Wersching) — New York Post (1/8/09)
I’m particularly impressed with Annie Wersching, who plays FBI Agent Renee Walker, aka Jack’s new partner-in-crime. — Korbi Ghosh, Zap2It (1/9/09)
benefits from the addition of a few new cast members, especially Annie Wersching [...] Wersching brings a welcome injection of fresh friction into the show’s frantic proceedings. — Hugh Hart, Wired (1/11/09)
speaking of Renee, it sure didn’t take her long to start thinking like Jack – pharmaceuticals, torture. I like it. — TV Squad (1/12/09)
I really like Renee Walker (Annie Wersching). Except for Chloe, the show has often struggled to come up with solid and interesting female characters who aren’t evil. If Renee turns out to be this season’s traitor, I’ll be devastated. — Amy Amatangelo, Zap2it (2/4/09)
She has a natural beauty, but also because she has a real strength of character and the ability as a female agent to be believable. Actually all those things are why it was such an extensive search to find the right girl. — 24 Director/Executive Producer Jon Cassar (2/5/09)
Wersching as Renee is especially good at making this scene work, being remorseful yet steadfast in doing things Jack’s way because that’s how it has to be. Of course Vossler doesn’t go out easily and when Jack takes him out, the look on Renee’s face as she looks at his family is affecting. — David Oliver, CHUD.com (2/10/09)
Not only is Renee Walker quickly eclipsing Michelle Dessler as my most favorite female crime fighter, but also the most fully formed. While she tries to be strong like Jack, her ethical compass is pinging all over the place, leaving her discombobulated and emotionally conflicted. Her slap fight next week with Jack is exactly the kind of ballsy behavior I’ve come to love about her. — Jarett Wieselman, New York Post PopWrap (2/18/09)
Matt’s Mega Rave: It’s never easy being a female on 24. You either get kidnapped, capped in the cranium, chased by a cougar, or are forced to mind a mystery infant. That makes what Annie Wersching has been doing this season all the more impressive. It’s near-impossible for a gal to measure up to Bauer, Jack Bauer, but dare we say that, at the end of this bad day, Agent Renee Walker could … come close. — Matt Mitovich, TV Guide (2/24/09)
[Wersching] has really connected with the audience. I think she’s done a spectacular job and we’re extremely proud of her. — 24 Showrunner Howard Gordon (2/27/09)
A lot of the credit sits on the lovely shoulders of Annie Wersching, who plays my favorite new character on any show: Agent Renee Walker. Watching this FBI-er learn to live by Bauer’s Code — do whatever it takes to stop the terrorists — has helped rejuvenate the show in a fundamental way. — New York Post PopWrap (3/24/09)
There’s just one FBI agent who stands out from the pack and is elevated to star status this season: Renee Walker (Annie Wersching), the only character besides Jack to be in all 24 episodes this season. At times Walker is portrayed as a female Jack Bauer — willing to do whatever it takes to stop the bad guy, and kicking some major ass along the way. — Brian Zoromski, IGN TV (5/26/09)
they’ve packed up everything great about it (namely, Renee Walker) and moved the show to New York — Yahoo TV (12/22/09)
Renee Walker has turned into something of a renegade this season. Something of a Jacqueline Bauer — LA Times (1/11)
Walker went from being a by-the-book Fed to adopting Jack’s by-whatever-means-necessary tactics. In Day 8, she’s like Rambo on Red Bull. — TV Guide Magazine (1/12)
happily, FBI agent Renee Walker (Annie Wersching) makes a surprise and welcome return. — NY Daily News (1/12)
When Renee shows up this season, there is an epic scene.. in all my years of watching 24, I said “Whoa”… I was like “Wow”.. Part of me was like “that’s awesome” but also part of me was like “that’s creepy” .. I will just say this, even Jack Bauer said “what the f?!” When do you think Jack Bauer would look at someone and say too far? — BJ Shea Morning Show clip (1/12 – MP3 clip)
you’ll be treated to the startling return of Annie Wersching‘s Renee Walker — USA Today (1/14)
Best of all is Renee Walker (Annie Wersching), who turns up Monday. Gone is the fresh-faced FBI agent, replaced by an embittered, depressive, borderline homicidal knuckle-breaker — Victoria Advocate (1/14)
By far the best part of 24’s return though is the new Renee. Her action in the end of hour four is the 24 cliffhanger we’ve been waiting for. As the clock ticks, now we really can’t wait to see what she does next week. — CraveOnline (1/14)
Once Renee Walker shows back up, all hell breaks loose. Turns out her one very bad day hanging out with Jack in DC really made an impression on her. So what does that mean for Bauer now? Screw the Metrocard — he might just want to commandeer a taxi to keep up with her. — TV Squad (1/14)
things really get good once Renee Walker (Annie Wersching) returns and contributes her unique expertise — Chicago Sun Times (1/15)
For once Bauer may not be the baddest good guy out there. FBI Agent Renee Walker (Annie Wersching) returns with a rotten attitude, a love for torture and possibly a torch for Jack. — Chicago Now (1/15)
Agent Renee Walker gets to be a badass. Walker (Annie Wersching) has come a long way from her by-the-book approach at the beginning of last season. Turns out she has a history with the villains this season, and she is not pausing to take names. — AOL TV (1/15)
my favorite thing about this new season is the return of Annie Wersching as Renee Walker, because let me tell you, if you thought she was a badass before, episode 4 will leave you with your jaw dropped and begging to watch the next episode. — Daemon’s TV (1/16)
Renee Walker (Annie Wersching), who contributes to a shocking climax that, in fabled 24 tradition, leaves you wanting more. — TV Guide Magazine (1/16)
Speaking of dangerous, hot damn did Renee (Annie Wersching) look great in this episode. I knew she was smoking hot last season, but she’s looking amazing this season. And she’s taken on that role even further of the “female Jack Bauer” all dark and brooding and working not for a badge or money, but to protect the country, to protect people. — iFMagazine.com (1/19 – 8×04)
out of nowhere the Renee Walker power saw saves the day, literally. [...] Ladies and gentlemen, there’s a new badass in town and it ain’t Jack. And now I’m hooked. — Yahoo Sports (1/19)
Remember Renee? Last season’s straight arrow is now back with a death wish, Goth-y eye makeup, and, generally speaking, a much higher level of hotness. She goes from seducing a former low-level Russian mobster to cutting off his hand with a circular saw. — NYMag.com (1/19)
Annie Wersching has done a bang up job of playing a character with nothing to lose, right down to the hollow look in her eye. Inevitably she will come back to Earth and vow to turn her life around (or die some tragic death) but until then I’m enjoying her role reversal. She was the highlight of tonight’s episode with Keifer Sutherland now playing the whiny baby. (I can’t believe I just typed that.) — Cinema Blend (1/25)
See, not only is this red-head as badass as Jack Bauer, she’s also bat-shiz crazy—two of our favorite qualities. — Long Island Press (1/26)
The best story so far continues to be following undercover operative Renee Zadan. Annie Wersching is just great this season — from her stoic yet annoyed reactions to Vladimir’s questioning to her unblinking fearlessness (and possibly suicidal tendency) in telling Vlad to kill her (“Do it! Do it! Pull the trigger!”). [...] Right now this is the best Renee’s ever been on 24 – multi-layered, hard as nails but with a dark tinge of despair and hopelessness (which Jack and Vladimir wonderfully picked up as something in her eyes) — IGN TV (1/26 – 8×05)
Actress Annie Wersching puts on an acting clinic in several parts of this episode and once again, I am more impressed with her as she acquires more screen time this season. She’s easily the strongest part of this season and I can’t wait for more. — Screen Rant (1/26 – 8×05)
Right now, Renee Walker’s walk on the dark side is about the only thing keeping me watching. — TV Guide Magazine (2/1)
So far this season, Renee has been more Jack Bauer than Jack Bauer. She’s one tough, resourceful woman, a more dynamic character than the namby pamby president played by Cherry Jones. — Sun-Sentinel (2/2)
While previously I haven’t hesitated to point out a few gaping holes in this year’s storyline, I had no problem getting caught up in the perils of Renee. Annie Wersching did a terrific job conveying the mix of emotions—revulsion, rage, despair—that Renee had to sublimate as she tried to maintain her cover and also protect herself both physically and spiritually from Vladimir. She’s doing what she has to do, but circular-saw-toting RoboRenee she’s not. Her humanity is reemerging. — TV.com (2/2 – 8×06)
Annie Wersching continues to completely sell this new version of Renee Walker, communicating a wealth of emotions in every scene. She’s alternately scared, weak, strong, and defiant, and it all comes across perfectly. — IGN TV (2/2 – 8×06)
I was completely drawn into Renee’s creepy relationship with Vladimir [...] I give credit to Annie Wersching and Callum Keith Rennie for bringing incredible tension to their roles; really, every scene between Renee and Vladimir is so taut because there’s this constant danger that one of them is going to snap. — CliqueClack TV (2/2 – 8×06)
Annie Wersching’s Renee Walker, by contrast, has frequently been the season’s redeeming presence, female or male. Re-tooling the character to become a pushed-to-the-edge protagonist was wise, and Wersching made her early hours on 24 sturdy, with hardboiled toughness. — Entertainment Weekly (2/9)
an hour of underwhelming storylines and increasingly annoying characters is saved, thanks to the unpredictability of Annie Wersching’s Renee Walker. […] In just a handful of episodes, Annie Wersching has been more entertaining to watch than her character was all last season. — IGN TV (2/9 – 8×07)
Renee Walker. She’s just like you, ladies, except she carries a gun, can snap your neck, and likes to stab Russian crime bosses as if they were the most evil piñata in the world. Vladimir Laitanan, you learned the hard way. — lehighvalleylive.com (2/9 – 8×07)
Besides Sutherland firing on all cylinders, Annie Wersching’s performance this year, reprising the character she introduced last season–FBI agent Renee Walker– is already looking like an award-winning turn. — TVWeek (2/10)
There is one bright spot, though, and that’s Annie Wersching, who plays FBI agent Renee Walker. — Vancouver Voice (2/19)
Her psycho act, and Jack’s guilt-fueled attempts to protect and save her from herself, are about the only things with real bite this season. — TV Guide Magazine (2/22)
Last month we gave you a list of reasons to be glad that 24 is back, but we probably could have stopped at one: Annie Wersching. — Gunaxin (2/22)
Renee (the consistently fabulous Annie Wersching) comes under U.S. Justice Department scrutiny for her … erm, overkill (15 stab wounds) of Vlad, which she claims was self-defense. — Dallas Morning News (2/22 – 8×09)
Renee’s interview with the Justice Department flunky was tense and emotional. […] Annie Wersching has done an amazing job all season, and her performance in this ep was no exception. — TV Squad (2/23 – 8×09)
As for Renee taking the fall, that interview scene was simply riveting and downright awesome. For the record, I’m not saying I cried when the single tear began taking that journey down her cheek, but I looked away briefly – and I’m OK with that. — CNN (2/23 – 8×09)
Annie Wersching is just aces inside of this season of 24. […] Just absolutely spectacular this season, a total show-stealer as far as I’m concerned, and one of the bright shiny spots inside of this season. — 2GuysTalking 24 Podcast (2/28 8×09 – MP3 clip)
the Jack-Renee storyline has been the season’s high point to date, and I’m kind of sorry she’s nowhere to be seen lately. — TVGuide Magazine (3/15)
Her adventure in madness with Jack has been, for me, the highlight of the season — TVGuide Magazine (3/22)
Jack is promptly hit, and taken down, and just as a sniper is about to score a headshot, Renee shows up, after being called in by Chloe earlier, and kills Jack’s would-be assassin. She then proceeds, with a measly pistol, to do what Jack, Ortiz and two other SWAT guys and automatic weapons couldn’t do, and kills off the snipers. You go, girl! — Den of Geek (3/22 – 8×13)
The re-emergence of Renee Walker (Annie Wersching) was also pretty cool especially coming to save the day. — iFMagazine (3/22 – 8×13)
Renee showed up and shot the sniper him in the back, took out another couple guys and allowed Cole to get to the call box. It was so cool! I’m glad we’ve moved past the Damsel in Distress stage and the two of them are together again. — TVOvermind (3/22 – 8×13)
[Chloe] she decides to call on Renee, who eagerly springs back into action. And this time, Jack’s not there to tell Renee she’s not ready for this — she’s ready, and she’s packing heat.” … “Jack is hit several times in his bulletproof vest and knocked to the ground, but just when one of the terrorists’ has his head in a sight, Renee shows up and puts a bullet in the guy. I couldn’t resist cheering a little at that. — TVGuide (3/22 – 8×13)
There were other memorable moments along the way including Renee’s heroics as she saved Jack from the fatal head-shot — CNN (3/22 – 8×13)
Renee shows up and kills Jack’s assailants with bad-ass cool and collected calm. Renee is really selling her dangerous role; she has ice cold water running through her veins. — BSCReview (3/22 – 8×13)
…and hello, Renee! I don’t know about you, but I was psyched to have Renee back. She was easily one of the best parts of the early portion of the season, so it was disappointing having her off screen for the past few episodes. Having her show up in the nick of time to save Jack, effortlessly taking out a couple of bad guys in the process, was great. — IGN TV (3/22 – 8×13)
Oh, and Renee is back again, and just in time. A regular killing machine! It’d be nice to see her stick around a while. — Paste Magazine (3/22 – 8×13)
I’m definitely glad Renee quickly got Jack to back off trying to keep her out of it, because Renee is easily one of the coolest parts of the show these days, and she and Jack make a great team – and yeah, I’m totally rooting for them to get with the sexing already. I mean, once the terrorist threat is dealt with of course. — IGN TV (3/30 – 8×14)
What followed was a fantastic, tactical firefight, in which Jack used smoke bombs and a near-telepathic connection with Renee to surgically dismantle the attacking team. Really solid stuff. Great seeing Renee in action again, under control and every bit Bauer’s equal. — HitFix (3/29 – 8×14)
And this year has not been without it’s awesome moments – i.e. pretty much anything with Renee Walker (Annie Wersching) has been incredible stuff. […] Wersching has really had an amazing range to play this year, and her subtle wounded looks have said it all in many moments that would have been too broad by lesser actors. She’s incredible and if Jack deserves to be with anyone, it’s Wersching’s Renee who is a perfect fit. — iF Magazine (4/6 – 8×15/16)
Jack failing to save Hassan was upsetting and intense, and Kiefer Sutherland and Annie Wersching both did a great job of showing the despair on their faces, as they discovered Hassan was already dead. — IGN TV (4/6 – 8×15/16)
As Jack and Renee made their way into the apartment building, you could feel the tension building to unprecedented levels. I thought the entire situation played out as one of the season’s finest, and the writers gave us more than we could absorb. Renee noticing the blonde wig on the floor and being first to pull the trigger as her life depended on it was riveting and well done. — CNN (4/6 – 8×15/16)
I’ll miss you, my favorite freckled, bad ass ex-FBI agent (and Annie Wersching, who did some great work in this role). I’m sure Jack will too. — IGN TV (4/13 – 8×17)
Even if you saw it coming, it’s hard not to be affected. Annie Wersching, you made quite an impression, and not just on Jack. — TV Guide Magazine (4/16 – 8×17)
Shooting Renee last week deprived us of the season’s sole interesting character — what Annie Wersching was doing with Renee’s mixture of anger, vulnerability, and despair was fascinating. — Entertainment Weekly (4/19)
It is this story that will close out Jack’s time with us, so I appreciate that the writers made it personal, though I miss Renee. — CinemaBlend (4/20 – 8×18)
Sheesh, I haven’t seen such a strange series of knuckle-headed moves since – well, since last week, when the Russian sniper missed Jack but managed to lodge a bullet into this season’s most undeserving victim. (And boy did that get you folks worked up!) — Entertainment Weekly (4/20 – 8×18)
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. — 24 Showrunner Howard Gordon (5/10)
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. — IGN TV (6/04 – 24 Season 8 Review)