Ahead of Heroes’ fourth season premiere on September 21, two of the high-profile cast, Masi Oka (Hiro) and Hayden Panettiere (Claire) got on the phone to spill some secrets. Returning for a few episodes is actress Jayma Mays as Charlie, a former love interest to Hiro. And Robert Knepper, aka T-Bag from Prison Break has joined the show.
Suite101: When this season begins what are Hiro and Claire battling with?
Masi Oka: Hiro’s going through the whole terminal illness and the bucket list. So I think he’s taking life a little bit more seriously …yet at the same time, trying to keep hope alive.
Hayden Panettiere: [Claire] is in college and dealing with a new best friend and roommate with a very - who has - we have a very interesting relationship together. But she’s really the first person that she’s been able to let in on her secret and somebody that’s really a confidant. But that’s a very delicate balance that can easily, you know, fall apart.
And one little misstep and her dad will, you know, bring Rene the Haitian in to wipe their memories.
Roller Coaster
Suite101: The ratings have been up and down. What’s the atmosphere now on set? Has it always been cohesive?
Hayden Panettiere: We hate each other. We don’t get along at all, no.
Masi Oka: It’s - you know, we’re a big family and we just love working with each other. It’s hard not to ride the highs and the lows of the show. Without a doubt Season 1 was absolute lightning in the bottle and we knew we had something absolutely special. Season 2 and 3 it was definitely hard for them [writers] to meet the expectations in some senses.
But Season 4 - there is a sense…our backs might be a little bit against the wall but because of that we’re swinging - creatively swinging for the fences. And we’re taking - there’s so many like bold choices and risks that are being made and a lot of creative freedom in some senses because of that.
Unlucky in Love
Suite101: Claire’s been pretty unlucky with love up to this point. What’s going to happen with her this season?
Hayden Pannettiere: She has a roommate who is the biggest relationship in this season thus far because she has finally got what [she had with] Zach in the first season. Which was a confidante and somebody who she can tell her secrets to/ And she hasn’t had anyone like that since then.
And then this new character, Gretchen, who becomes my roommate comes along, and she becomes that person for me. And it’s a very interesting relationship because there’s a little bit of a flirting with the whole are we friends? Are we more? Like do I have feelings for you in that way? So, that’s the relationship so far, and where exactly it’s going I have no idea.
Masi Oka: The two key words: flirting and roommates.
Hayden Pannettiere: (Bad) girls.
Heroes premieres Monday September 21 on Global and NBC
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