“Heroes” is back.
Four years after its cancellation, NBC’s superheroes-in-the-real-world epic is returning for a 13-episode event miniseries in 2015 headed up by original creator and executive producer Tim Kring, NBC announced Saturday. The network let the whole world get the news at the same time, unfurling a teaser ad for the upcoming series during Saturday’s Olympic coverage (you can check out that trailer below).
In a statement released immediately after the ad aired, NBC said the new stand-alone story arc will be called “Heroes Reborn,” but details on the storylines or characters involved remained under wraps — for now.
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“The enormous impact ‘Heroes’ had on the television landscape when it first launched in 2006 was eye-opening,” said NBC Entertainment President Jennifer Salke. “Shows with that kind of resonance don’t come around often and we thought it was time for another installment. We’re thrilled that visionary creator Tim Kring was as excited about jumping back into this show as we were and we look forward to all the new textures and layers Tim plans to add to his original concept. 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.”
The series was an unexpected ratings smash for the Peacock when it debuted in 2006, but inconsistent storylines and wonky character development led many of the show’s staunchest supporters to sour on it quickly. The series ended after its fourth season in 2010.
But it’s likely it was “Heroes” life after cancellation that helped prompt the new series — the show remains one of the best-selling TV series on DVD of all time with more than 10 million units sold.
And the new series won’t be the only new “Heroes” for hardcore fans. NBC said they’ll launch a digital series prior to the 2015 premiere that will introduce the characters and new storylines.
