NBC Announces New ‘Heroes’ Cast Members

It appears the sci-fi wizards over at NBC have some more superpowers up their sleeves, as the network has announced several new cast members coming to the hit drama “Heroes,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

In one of the more intriguing announcements, it appears Hiro Nakamura (Masi Oka) will finally meet his lifelong samurai idol Takezo Kensei, who will be played by David Anders. Although entirely unseen in season one, Kensei was a major plot point as Hiro was in pursuit of his legendary sword. Anders played Julian Sark on “Alias,” as well as guest spots on “Deadwood” and “Grey’s Anatomy.”

In another presumably Hiro connection, Japanese actress and pop star Eriko Tamura will join the cast as a Japanese princess. A veteran of Asian cinema, Tamura also appeared in the 2006 comedy “Surf School” alongside Harland Williams.

It looks like Hayden Panettiere will also be making some new friends as Lyndsy Fonseca and Dianna Agron have been cast as SoCal cheerleaders, where Claire is expected to move. While Fonseca’s character is sweet, her pom-pom pushing pal Agron is a cutthroat teen.

Fonseca is most recognized from her 13-episode arc as the daughter on “How I Met Your Mother.” Agron has made guest appearances on “Veronica Mars,” “Shark” and “CSI: NY.”

And move over Matt Parkman, there’s a new lawdog in town as Barry Shabaka Henley joins “Heroes” as a New York cop named Detective Fuller. Henley, who stars in the upcoming film “The Horsemen” with Dennis Quaid and Ziyi Zhang, has appeared on “Close to Home,” as well as the films “Four Brothers,” “Collateral,” “Ali” and “Miami Vice.”

Lastly, Holt McCallany (best known as Det. John Hagen from “CSI: Miami”) will bring some punch to the cast as the ringleader of a group of Irish hooligans.

The new cast members join the previously announced Nick D’Agosto and Dania Ramirez, who were announced as series regulars earlier this summer.

D’Agosto will play Panettiere’s boyfriend West, who possesses a “very cool superpower.”

D’Agosto previously appeared in a CBS pilot with Marisa Tomei called “The Rich Inner Life of Penelope Cloud” and also starred alongside Mena Suvari in another CBS pilot called “Orpheus.”

His other credits include guest spots on “Cold Case,” “Six Feet Under,” “ER” and “Boston Public.”

“Nick is one of the best young actors working today and a perfect fit for Heroes. We think Claire & West will be the couple to watch this Fall,” Dennis Hammer, “Heroes” executive producer, told Access Hollywood.

Ramirez, who played AJ Soprano’s short-lived fiancé Blanca on “The Sopranos” will play Maya, a new hero whose powers are being kept under wraps.