The most novel of the fall’s new series premieres at 9 tonight on Fox.

The last of this year’s four new spy dramas, “24” happens in real time, meaning that the entire season covers what happens on a particular day, with each episode covering one hour.

That day looks like it’s going to be one of the longest in the life of Jake Bauer (Kiefer Sutherland), who heads up the government’s Counter Terrorist Unit.

First, Jake and his wife, Teri (Leslie Hope), discover that their teen daughter Kimberly (Elisha Cuthbert) has sneaked out. Then the phone rings, and Jake finds himself trying to stop an assassination attempt on Sen. David Palmer (Dennis Haysbert), the first African-American with a realistic chance at the White House.

Jake finds himself torn between his job and the search for his daughter. The senator gets a call that threatens to derail his campaign. Kimberly ends up getting in over her head.

The show’s creators, Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran (USA Network’s “La Femme Nikita”) rachet up the tension by quickly cutting among the various parties: Jake’s team, Teri waiting nervously at home, Kimberly on her outing, the senator and his entourage, and the assassin. They do this through effective use of split-screen techniques.

All the characters, especially Jake and the senator, have secrets, which “24” unveils oh so slowly. Still, the producers manage to leave the viewers caring about what’s going to happen next to each.

Sutherland and Haysbert are sympathetic leads, but the supporting characters aren’t so well developed in the premiere. “24” comes from the meaningful-glances school of characterization, which means viewers must be patient while learning who these people are.

The atmosphere in the country now hasn’t exactly been supportive of the three spy dramas already airing, the stylish “Alias” and the hackneyed “UC: Undercover” and “The Agency.” With many viewers seeking out escapist fare, it’s hard to say whether a quality drama that cuts too close to reality will get the proper opportunity it deserves. If “24” doesn’t, that would be the viewing public’s loss.