As one of the newest cast members of FOX's hit thrill ride 24, Kim Raver admits it was probably a little naive to expect a typical work welcome. "I got to the 24 set that first day and the director said, 'Hi, nice to meet you,' " says Raver, "and then he blindfolded me, gagged me, handcuffed me and threw me into a van!"

But Raver, who plays Audrey Raines, the new love interest of leading" man Kiefer Sutherland, is getting used to the unexpected twists of the show, which kicks off its fourth season Jan. 9. "People say, 'Oh, you're on 24, you never know if you're going to live or die!' " says Raver, 37. "But you don't know that ever. I'm just staying in the moment and enjoying it."

She certainly seems to be. "In between takes she has the biggest smile on her face," says 24 director Jon Cassar. "She and Kiefer instantly had great chemistry. It was my biggest fear, because we had such a cast upheaval this year, but Kim just nailed it."

Actually Raver has a bit of experience with fast-paced drama, having spent five seasons on NBC's Third Watch. But the New York City native got her start on Sesame Street as a kid in 1975. "It was magical," she says, "and so cool to know where Snuffleupagus lived!"

Nowadays Raver lives in L.A. with her husband of four years, French filmmaker Manuel Boyer, 35, and their 2-year-old son. To squeeze in more mommy time, she has been bringing her toddler to the 24 set. "My son loves to play with Kiefer's dog Molly," says Raver, laughing. "They have playdates."