If you remember back when the first season of “Heroes” premiered on NBC, it was instantly a phenomenon. However, as the time passed by, the series’ ratings began to drop, until eventually, the network had to cut the cord. A headline at TVFanatic.com captured the sentiment of some viewers succinctly: “Heroes Review: It’s finally over!”
Tim Kring is approaching NBC’s Heroes Reborn as if it’s the 10th season of the franchise and not the fifth season of the drama he never got to finish. “I feel confident that we can find other stories to tell with new characters and some recurring characters”. “We were right at the top of the most-streamed shows, the top of the most DVRed show and we sold lots and lots of DVDs”.
Kring insisted that it will give the show and its viewers an “exhilarating” feeling.
NBC is calling “Heroes Reborn” a 13-episode event series. ” “Heroes” was really best when it was perceived as rare and special”. Kring has learned from the problems of too many episodes and not enough story, and Heroes Reborn won’t face that same problem as a limited series. Also joining are Ryan Guzman (Carlos), Robbie Kay (Tommy), Danika Yarosh (Malina), Judith Shekoni (Joanne), Kiki Sukezane (Miko Otomo), Henry Zebrowski (Quentin Frady) and Gatlin Green (Emily).
Mr. Kring said time has not stopped in the “Heroes” universe. A year ago, a terrorist attack in Odessa, Texas, left the city decimated. So, ergo, it would be five seasons later and this would be season 10. And, according to Kring, Panettiere’s Claire Bennett didn’t make it. Showrunner Gabrielle Stanton notes that it will be the female version of the character, whose comic book superpower allows her to channel the far away star Vega for a number of abilities.
“When we went off the air we didn’t know we were going off the air”, IGN quotes Kring.
Kring explains, “In the real world of the story, [Claire Bennet] died a year prior to our story starting”. That’s the point… The idea is that for the loyal viewer of the original series, we want to honor them and they are rewarded for having been loyal fans of the show by seeing all kinds of things inside the show that other people may not see.
Jay Leno returns to TV in a vehicle show, CNBC’s “Jay Leno’s Garage” (10 p.m. October. 7).
A portion of this column originally appeared online. While chatting at the Television Critics Association (TCA) press tour, the producer was quite frank about what killed the series the first time around – and he promises they know where the pitfalls are, and how to avoid them, this time.
