For some, the first season of NBC‘s science fiction television drama “Heroes” might be remembered as one of the best seasons of broadcast TV ever. That’s a huge stretch, really, but it was beloved by many early on: the critically acclaimed first season run garnered an average of 14.3 million viewers per episode in the U.S., receiving the highest rating for an NBC drama premiere in five years. But what followed was a train wreck of serialized time travel, amnesia, characters losing their powers, weak premonitions, dreams, a critical exodus and plummeting ratings. Even some of the most ardent fans soured on the show and saw the cancellation as a mercy killing (though many wanted a more satisfying finale that would wrap-up the series and mooted movie idea never materialized).
Even after the show was dead, creator Tim Kring felt the show could still live on in other forms. “We never posited a single ending or a single premise,” he told EW in 2010. “We told stories in volumes that had a beginning, a middle, and an end. Those volumes could go on and on and on with many different characters. As a result, that Heroes universe is something that can be tapped into again in many ways.
It’s getting tapped into again alright, but as a “new standalone story arc” for a 13-episode event series. This limited-run revival sounds a lot like what Fox is doing for “24: Live Another Day.” NBC is planning on resurrecting the show for 2015 with a big digital tie-in. Titled, “Heroes Reborn,” before the show debuts on TV in 2015, the network plans to launch a digital series to introduce the plot and characters. No cast members have been announced, but it sounds like a new cast will be used; though some from the original series’ four seasons may return. “Until we get closer to air in 2015, the show will be appropriately shrouded in secrecy, but we won’t rule out the possibility of some of the show’s original cast members popping back in,” Jennifer Salke, president of NBC Entertainment, said in a statement. Actors who got their biggest break from the show included Zachary Quinto, Hayden Panettiere, Ali Larter, Jack Coleman, Milo Ventimiglia, and Adrian Pasdar.
Will the audience return? Does NBC see an appetite for this genre now that ABC has “Agents Of S.H.I.E.L.D.“? Well, a cult has certainly formed as 10 million “Heroes” DVDs have been sold, which isn’t chump change. Check out the new teaser below. For more television coverage check out our 20 Most Anticipated TV Shows Of 2014 feature.
