Ordinary people find themselves with extraordinary power. Some become heroes. Others become villains. But no one will ever be the same in this imaginative retelling of the classical superhero genre.

Heroes is an American science fiction television drama series created by Tim Kring, which premiered on NBC on September 25, 2006. The series tells the stories of ordinary people who discover superhuman abilities, and how these abilities take effect in the characters' lives. The series emulates the aesthetic style and storytelling of American comic books, using short, multi-episode story arcs that build upon a larger, more encompassing arc.

Originally, Kring designed the series to have an ever-shifting cast. However, his motivation changed when he realized how popular the original cast was with audiences; therefore he brought back most of the first season cast for the second season, with a few additions who received star billing. In its first season, the show features an ensemble cast of twelve main characters making it the third largest cast in American primetime television behind Desperate Housewives and Lost. Although NBC's first season cast page listed only ten characters, Leonard Roberts (D.L. Hawkins), who first appeared in the series' fifth episode, was an additional member of the original full-time cast. In episode eleven of the first season, Jack Coleman (Noah Bennet) was upgraded from a recurring role to become the twelfth full-time cast member.

The initial season had twelve major roles getting star billing. Hayden Panettiere portrayed high school cheerleader Claire Bennet who has the ability to spontaneously regenerate. Jack Coleman played her father Noah Bennet, an agent for The Company. Santiago Cabrera played the troubled addict Isaac Mendez who could paint the future. Tawny Cypress portrayed Simone Deveaux, an art dealer and skeptic. Greg Grunberg played LAPD police officer Matt Parkman who could read people's minds. Ali Larter played Niki Sanders, an internet stripper with a severe dissociative disorder and super strength. Leonard Roberts played Niki's husband D.L. Hawkins, an ex-convict who could pass through solid matter. Noah Gray-Cabey played Micah Sanders, Niki and D.L.'s young son who could communicate with and control digital technology. Masi Oka portrayed space-time manipulator Hiro Nakamura. Adrian Pasdar played Nathan Petrelli, a congressional candidate with the ability to fly. Sendhil Ramamurthy played geneticist Mohinder Suresh. Milo Ventimiglia portrayed hospice nurse Peter Petrelli, with the ability to mimic abilities of other posthumans.

During the first two seasons, some characters were written out to make room for new characters with new stories. Simone was the first major character to be written out, dying near the end of season one. DL became a guest star after the events of the first season's finale, making two appearances throughout season two. Isaac Mendez was also written out, dying at the hands of Sylar, which was shown during Hiro Nakamura's time travelling expedition to New York earlier in season one. New characters added during season two included Maya Herrera, played by Dania Ramirez, a fugitive with the ability to emit a deadly virus; Adam Monroe, a 400-year-old Englishman and legendary warrior Takezo Kensei with the ability to regenerate, portrayed by David Anders; Monica Dawson, portrayed by Dana Davis, a restaurant worker with the ability to mimic any physical movements she sees; and Elle Bishop, a sadistic sociopath with the ability to generate electricity portrayed by Kristen Bell. Two recurring characters from season one, Sylar, portrayed by Zachary Quinto, and Ando Masahashi, portrayed by James Kyson Lee, were upgraded to main characters in season two.

Starting in season three, recurring character Angela Petrelli, portrayed by Cristine Rose, was promoted to a main character. Elle, Adam and Micah were removed from the main cast. Monica Dawson did not appear after scenes including her were cut. Niki was also written out but actress Ali Larter remained on the show portraying a new character Tracy Strauss, Niki's triplet sister with the power to freeze objects with a touch.

For the fourth season, a new character Samuel (portrayed by Robert Knepper) has been added. Originally cast as a recurring part, the part has been changed to a starring role.

Three complete seasons have aired, and the fourth premiered on September 21, 2009. The critically acclaimed first season's run of 23 episodes garnered an average of 14.3 million viewers in the United States, receiving the highest rating for any NBC drama premiere in five years. The second season of Heroes attracted an average of 13.1 million viewers in the U.S., and marked NBC's sole series among the top 20 ranked programs in total viewership for the 2007-2008 season. Heroes has garnered a number of awards and nominations, including Primetime Emmy awards, Golden Globes, People's Choice Awards and British Academy Television Awards.

Season one -- Volume 1: Genesis

Isaac's painting of New York's destruction in "Genesis" - the following episode, set five weeks in the future, depicts the same explosion, and the painting forms the basis of the primary story arc of the first season.Season one featured 23 episodes that were broadcast starting September 25, 2006 collectively as volume one, Genesis. The series went on hiatus twice; first from December 4, 2006 to January 22, 2007, and again from March 5 to April 23, 2007, with the season finale airing on May 21, 2007. The volume begins as a seemingly ordinary group of people gradually become aware that they have special abilities. Events illustrate their reactions to these powers, and how the discovery affects their personal and professional lives. At the same time, several ordinary individuals are investigating the origins and extent of these abilities. Mohinder Suresh, a geneticist, continues his late father's research into the biological source of the change, while Noah Bennet represents a secret organization known only as "The Company". While coping with these new abilities, each of the characters is drawn, willingly or unwillingly, into the Company's conspiracy to control superpowered people and into a race to stop an explosion from destroying New York City.

Season two -- Volume 2: Generations

The second season, truncated by the writer's strike, featured only one volume. Volume two, Generations, began airing on September 24, 2007. The second season consisted of only 11 episodes, 13 fewer than were originally ordered by NBC. Volume two begins four months after the events of Kirby Plaza. The main plot arc of Generations deals with the Company and its research on the Shanti virus. This research is explored through the Company's founders, whose identities are revealed, as well as through the effects of various strains of the virus. The "heroes" ultimately come together in an attempt to stop the release of a deadly strain of the virus and avert a global pandemic.

At the beginning of this volume, Hiro travels back in time to meet his hero Kensei in 1671 Japan. Hiro discovers that Kensei is actually a drunken Englishman, not at all like the Kensei of legend. However, Hiro finds that Kensei is regenerative, a hero like Hiro. Hiro helps Kensei to become the hero of legend, but Kensei betrays Hiro after Hiro kisses Kensei's love Yaeko. Kensei later identifies himself as Adam Monroe. Hiro discovers that Adam killed his father. Hiro returns to the present. Peter finds out that Adam actually wants to unleash the virus and stops him from doing so. Hiro buries Adam alive by teleporting him into a coffin.

Elle Bishop is another major new character introduced in Season Two. Elle, who is portrayed Kristen Bell, has the ability to shoot lightning from her fingers. Elle helps Peter escape from Irish terrorists, and later befriends Sylar. She saves Mohinder from Sylar's clutches, but Sylar kills Elle in Season three.

Season three

Volume 3: Villains

Season three featured 25 episodes that aired beginning on September 22, 2008. The season comprised volumes three and four, titled Villains and Fugitives respectively. The lead-in to Villains showed Sylar regaining his lost powers, shown as the final scene of the Generations finale. Tim Kring said that the new volume would bring a cadre of villains to the show, hence the title. Volume three began with the assassination attempt on Nathan Petrelli, and the consequences it has. In addition, several villains escape from the confines of Level 5, and the Company attempts to recapture them. Arthur Petrelli heals from systemic nerve damage with the help of Adam Monroe's healing abilities and eventually recruits a few of the villains (Flint Gordon Jr., Knox, and Daphne Millbrook) while later luring in Mohinder Suresh, Nathan Petrelli, Tracy Strauss, Elle Bishop, and Sylar. Their objective is to create a formula to give people abilities but after many failures they soon realize they need to find the "catalyst", which is contained within a person.

Volume 4: Fugitives

Sylar in Nathan Petrelli's persona at the end of Volume 4.The second part of the series titled Fugitives involves what happens after Nathan fails to produce the formula. After the destruction of Primatech and Pinehearst, the Heroes attempt to lead normal lives until Nathan initiates his plan to round up all people with abilities. Meanwhile, Sylar begins the search for his real parents. Throughout the way, the Heroes are guided by Rebel, later revealed to be Micah Sanders. In the finale, Nathan is killed by Sylar in a intense duel. Peter, who steals Sylar's shape-shifting ability in the duel, uses it to disguise himself as the President and tranquilize Sylar. With Sylar's unconscious body and a dead Nathan, Matt is instructed to alter Sylar's mind to believe he is Nathan, with Sylar's acquired ability enabling him to fully embody Nathan's personality and gain his memories.

Season four -- Volume 5: Redemption

On May 4, 2009, NBC confirmed renewal of Heroes for a fourth season consisting of 18 to 20 episodes. The season began with a 2 hour premiere on September 21, 2009. The fourth season contains volume five, Redemption. Madeline Zima joined the cast as Gretchen, Claire's new friend in college. Rick Worthy will have a recurring role, playing Matt's new police partner, an experienced and capable Los Angeles cop. Robert Knepper joins the cast as Samuel, a new villain. Ray Park has reportedly also been cast "for a sizeable arc."

Here's the original Xapz article on Heroes, dating from 2006.

-- Xapz Entertainment