Heroes became a cult phenomenon over the course of its critically acclaimed opening season which first aired on US TV Network NBC in 2006, but after the shows fourth season, due to a drop in viewership and critical ratings the show was cancelled in 2010. Hardcore fans of the show have sated their appetite for more Heroes with a plethora of official and unofficial merchandise including webisodes, graphic novels and more, but now Heroes is to return, continuing into a fifth season with a new comic book line and continuing on the small screen with the imminent arrival of Heroes Reborn, coming soon to NBC.
Reborn will see the return of Noah Bennett (Jack Coleman), Hiro Nakamaru (Masi Oka) and the mysterious Haitian (Jimmy Jean-Louis), whom are to be joined by Chuck star and co-founder of Nerd HQ Zachary Levi as new character Luke Collins. Very little is actually known about Reborn, other than creator Tim Krings' claims that the 13 episode mini-series, will reconnect with basic elements of the first season, with the first episode to be titled “Awakening”. Before Reborn airs a digital series is set to be released exploring and introducing the new characters.
While fans are eager to see if the cast and crew of Reborn can recapture the magic that made the first two seasons so amazing, many fans may also be wondering why the rest of the cast haven't returned to the roles that made them. So we hunted down a few of the more fondly remembered former Heroes actors...
# Milo Ventimiglia
Ventimiglia Played Peter Petrelli, the hero of all four seasons of Heroes, with the ability to temporarily absorb and mimic the abilities of other 'heroes', an ability that grew with each power learned becoming permanently part of Peters repertoire. Since Heroes Ventimiglia has starred in and produced the hit show Chosen and recently appeared in the surprise hit show Gotham as the DC villain the Ogre.
# Hayden Panettiere
Panettiere played Claire Bennet, the adopted daughter of company man Noah Bennett in all four seasons of Heroes, whom turns out to have the ability to heal herself from serious injury thanks to rapid Cellular regeneration. Since Heroes Panettierehas been enjoying great success on the small screen with the critically acclaimed new series Nashville, in which she plays Juliette Barnes, one of the shows leads.
# Adrian Pasdar
Pasdar played Nathan Petrelli in all four seasons of Heroes, the older brother to Peter with political aspirations and the hidden ability to fly. Since Heroes Pasdar's voice has become universally accepted by fans as the voice of Ton Stark in many of Marvels animated series and video games including Ultimate Spiderman, Hulk and the agents of S.M.A.S.H. and Lego Marvel Super Heroes. Pasdar recently appeared in Marvels hit TV show agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., playing villain Glenn Talbot.
# Greg Grunberg
Grunberg played police officer Matt Parkman in all four seasons of Heroes, as a telepath whose ability develops, allowing him to control peoples minds. Since Heroes Grunberg has featured in many US TV shows and movies, though he is due to appear in this Christmas' blockbuster Star Wars: The Force Awakens, in an undisclosed role.
# Santiago Cabrera
Cabrera played the character of Isaac Mendez in the first season of Heroes, with the ability to paint depictions of future events while in a trance-like state. Unfortunately Cabrera only played the character for one season, after the character was killed by the series villain Sylar. Since Heroes Cabrera has been enjoying great success on British TV in the adventure show The Musketeers, which was recently renewed for a third season, in which Cabrera plays, to great effect, the womanising yet devoutly religious Aramis.
# Sendhil Ramamurthy
Ramamurthy played the super abilities obsessed doctor Mohinder Suresh in all four seasons of Heroes, gradually developing abilities himself. Since Heroes Ramamurthy has enjoyed continued success on the small screen playing recurring roes in both CSI: Miami and The Office, he is currently enjoying a run as the character Gabriel in CW's Beauty & the Beast.
# Ali Larter
Larter played Nikki Sanders in the first three seasons of Heroes, and then played the character of Tracy Strauss in season four. Since Heroes Larter has enjoyed moderate success in Paul W S Anderson's adaptations of Capcoms videogame series Resident Evil, whereby she has played the character of Claire Redfield in Resident Evil: Extinction and Resident Evil: Afterlife.
# Zachary Quinto
Undoubtedly the most successful former heroes star, Quinto was notoriously scary as the villain we loved to hate Sylar in all four seasons of Heroes, whom waned to absorb every heroes abilities at the cost of their lives, by slicing open their heads and examining the inner workings of their brains. Since Heroes Quinto has famously become recognised universally as the new Spock, appearing in the 2009 reboot Star Trek and its 2013 sequel Star Trek: into Darkness. Quinto is expected to return for the third Star Trek movie which is expected to be released in 2016, and has been confirmed to joining the cast of hit NBC show Hannibal... and we hope he will be cast as Francis Dolarhyde, previously played by Ralph Fiennes in 2002's Red Dragon and by Tom Noonan in the classic 1986 movie Manhunter.
