It’s almost as if the Television Gods looked down upon Earth, said, “What casting decision could we make that would thrill Amy Vernon like no other?”

Katee Sackhoff is joining the cast of 24 as a regular for Season 8.

Let me repeat: Kara “Starbuck” Thrace is going to be a CTU data analyst in the reconstituted CTU in New York City for Day 8.

Yes, I am getting a mashup of 24 and Battlestar Galactica. I’m the luckiest girl in the world!

Here’s what Michael Ausiello had to say:

Sources confirm to me exclusively that the Battlestar Galactica heroine has been tapped to play the series regular role of Dana Walsh, a highly respected and down-to-earth data analyst at the new and improved New York branch of CTU.

…

She’s in a relationship with fellow agent Davis Cole (played by the just-cast Freddie Prinze. Jr.), and she apparently has a skeleton in her closet she’s trying desperately to keep hidden.

Just wondering: Does CTU ever hire anyone who doesn’t have some sort of secret they’re desperately trying to hide? Remember Erin Driscoll’s schizo daughter?