Heroes

Sendhil Ramamurthy joins NBC's new ensemble drama series "Heroes" as Mohinder Suresh, a genetics professor at the University of Madras in India whose father's disappearance leads him to uncover a secret theory - there are people with extraordinary abilities living among us.

Recently, Ramamurthy completed the feature film "Blind Guy Driving," directed by James Keach. His other film credits include "Thanks to Gravity" opposite Sean Astin, "Orient Express" and "Little India."

On the small screen, he starred in the series "Ultimate Force," the television movie "My Sexiest Mistake" and the miniseries "In the Beginning."

In London's West End, Ramamurthy starred in The Royal Shakespeare Company production of "A Servant to Two Masters," directed by Tim Supple. In addition, he commanded the stage in the New York premiere of Tom Stoppard's "Indian Ink" at the Soho Repertory Theatre and "East Is East," directed by Scott Elliott, at the Manhattan Theatre Club.

Hayden Panettiere stars in NBC's new ensemble drama series "Heroes" as Claire Bennet, a high school cheerleader in Odessa, Texas, who learns through trial-and-error that her flesh is indestructible.

Most recently, Panettiere starred in the independent film "The Architect" opposite Anthony LaPaglia and Isabella Rosselini which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival, and "Mr. Gibb" for Kevin Spacey's company, Triggerstreet.

Training rigorously and executing her own stunts, she dazzled audiences in her role as a competitive ice skater in "Ice Princess" and recorded "I Fly" for the film's soundtrack. Her spitfire characters in both "Joe Somebody" as Tim Allen's daughter and "Remember the Titans" with Denzel Washington helped to establish her as a unique talent.

Panettiere starred in the Lifetime original movie "Lies My Mother Told Me" opposite Joely Richardson and in The Disney Channel's acclaimed "Tiger Cruise," based on the true events of September 11th.

She is an ambassador, along with fellow ambassadors Nelson Mandela and Queen Noor, for the ICUN Wildlife Foundation, an organization that helps raise funds to support and save endangered species. As of late, she has joined forces with Pierce Brosnan to save the whales through the Whaleman Foundation. Panettiere lives in New York with her parents and younger brother. Her birthday is August 21.

Masi Oka stars in NBC's new ensemble drama series "Heroes" as Hiro Nakamura, a Tokyo nonconformist computer/anime enthusiast who develops a way to pierce the space-time continuum and move back in time through sheer will power.

No stranger to television, Oka has had recurring roles on NBC's "Scrubs" as Franklyn and "Luis" as Deng Wu.

His feature-film credits include memorable roles in "Along Came Polly," "Austin Powers in Goldmember" and "House of the Dead 2: Dead Aim."

With a background in improvisation, Oka has performed on the stages of Second City, ImprovOlympics, The Groundlings, and TheatreSports.

After graduating from Brown University with degrees in mathematics and computer science and a theatre arts minor, Oka pursued an acting career while taking his first job at George Lucas' Oscar-winning special effects house Industrial Light & Magic. Today, despite his successful career as an actor, he continues to provide ILM with technology for groundbreaking effects for more than 30 films.

Oka was born in Tokyo, Japan, and moved to Los Angeles at age six, where he currently resides. He is fluent in Japanese and proficient in Spanish. His hobbies include Kendo (Japanese sword fighting), playing video games, watching and writing romantic comedies, playing the piano, and singing. His birthday is December 27.

Larter starred in the successful first and second installments of the "Final Destination" franchise and opposite Reese Witherspoon in the hit film "Legally Blonde." In addition, Larter enjoyed a successful run on the New York stage in "The Vagina Monologues."

Making her feature film debut in the blockbuster hit "Varsity Blues," Larter includes among her credits "A Lot Like Love," "American Outlaws" starring opposite Colin Farrell, "Jay and Silent Bob Strike Back" for writer/director/actor Kevin Smith, "The House on Haunted Hill," a remake of the original Vincent Price horror classic with Taye Diggs and Geoffrey Rush, and "Drive Me Crazy."

Larter will soon star opposite Milla Jovovich in "Resident Evil 3: Extinction" as Claire Redfield, a new character to the film series who appears in the video game "Resident Evil 2." Larter's other film credits include the independent film "Crazy" and the soon-to-be released "Marigold."

A native of Cherry Hill, New Jersey, Larter began modeling at the age of thirteen and traveled the world before moving to New York, where she currently resides. Her birthday is February 28.

Grunberg is best known as the lovable Eric Weiss on "Alias," where he spent four seasons thwarting the menacing plans of the world's most dubious villains. Audiences first fell in love with Grunberg when he starred as Sean in four seasons on "Felicity." He has appeared in multiple episode arcs on "NYPD Blue" and "Melrose Place".

In addition to his small screen success, Grunberg has emerged as a thriving film actor. His feature film credits include "Mission: Impossible 3," directed by J.J. Abrams and starring Tom Cruise, "Malibu's Most Wanted," "Ladykillers," "Hollow Man," "Austin Powers: Goldmember," "The Muse," "BASEketball," "Trigger Effect" and "Dinner & Driving."

Before his rise to fame, he worked for noted film producers Dino de Laurentiis and Joel Silver and co-wrote and voiced the lead character in a computer-animated pilot for HBO. Recently, he has also helped develop and starred in a few pilots, including "The Catch" with creator/executive producer J.J. Abrams and "Grand Union" for NBC.

On the small screen, Pasdar starred for two seasons on both "Judging Amy" and "Mysterious Ways." He also held starring roles on "Profit" and Dick Wolf's "Feds." He recently recurred on the hit series "Desperate Housewives" as David Bradley, as well as on "Touched by an Angel" as Edward Tanner.

Pasdar began his career in "Top Gun" when he was cast as Chipper alongside Tom Cruise, Anthony Edwards and Val Kilmer. Since then, he has starred in films such as "Secondhand Lions" with Michael Caine and Robert Duvall, Brian De Palma's "Carlito's Way," opposite Al Pacino and Sean Penn, "Solarbabies" with Jami Gertz, Jason Patric and Lukas Haas, "Streets of Gold" with Wesley Snipes, "Near Dark" directed by Kathryn Bigelow and "Vital Signs," starring Diane Lane.

Behind the scenes, Pasdar has written and directed a short film titled "Beyond Belief" and directed the feature film "Cement," starring Chris Penn and Sherilyn Fenn. Before becoming an actor, he excelled in football and attended the University of Florida on a football scholarship. After suffering an injury, he turned to acting and eventually studied at the famed Lee Strasberg Theater Institute.

He was born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, but grew up in a suburb of Philadelphia. Pasdar currently resides in Los Angeles and New York with his wife, Natalie Maines of the Dixie Chicks, and their two children. His birthday is April 30.

Tawny Cypress stars as Simone Deveaux, Isaac's (Santiago Cabrera) beautiful girlfriend who enables his heroin addiction and whose wealthy father is dying.

Cypress has recurred in a variety of primetime and daytime series, including "Third Watch," "Jonny Zero," "100 Centre Street," "All My Children" and "Guiding Light."

In addition, Cypress has appeared on stage in productions of "Drowning in Euphoria," "The Session," "The Tempest" and "Amadeus." She studied at Boston University, Westminster Choir College and Mason Gross at Rutger  University. She currently resides in New York City. Her birthday is August 8.

Ten-year-old Noah Gray-Cabey joins NBC's new ensemble drama series "Heroes" as Micah Sanders, a young genius whose mother is an online stripper and whose father is serving life in prison.

Gray-Cabey was a series regular on ABC's "My Wife & Kids," playing the precocious Franklin. Recently, he guest-starred on "Grey's Anatomy" and "Ghost Whisperer." He also has a supporting role in M. Night Shyamalan's highly anticipated film "Lady in the Water."

A trained classical pianist by the age of three, Gray-Cabey is the youngest person ever to perform at the Sydney Opera Hall. In 2001, he participated in fundraising concerts to benefit AIDS orphanages. After the events of September 11th, Gray-Cabey, with the help of his father, Shawn, and his mother, Whitney, organized a concert in Portland, Maine, to raise money for Afghan children who were displaced by the Taliban's civil unrest. As a result, "48 Hours" did a piece on Gray-Cabey's altruistic natur e and piano talents.

Gray-Cabey is determined to use his talents to make a real influence in the world. He has formed a foundation called "Action in Music" that broadens the horizons of inner city children by bringing them to Africa to visit AIDS victims. His birthday is November 16.

Before becoming an actor, Cabrera originally planned on becoming a soccer player. He played soccer for three years on college scholarships in Chile and played semi-pro in London.

While training for three years at the Drama Centre London, Cabrera starred in numerous productions, including "The Last Days of Don Juan," "The Strangeness of Others" and "Britannicus." After graduating, his first role was "Montano" in Shakespeare's "Othello" at the Northampton Theatre Royal and in London at The Greenwich Theatre.

Cabrera's career break-through came when he was cast in the lead role of "Octavius" in ABC's "Empire." He will next be seen on screen starring opposite Brittany Murphy in "Love and Other Disasters," as well as "Haven" opposite Orlando Bloom. The actor recently completed filming "Goal! 2: Living the Dream" and will star in the lead role in "Goal 3."

Cabrera grew up in London, Romania, Toronto and Madrid. Although he considers Santiago, Chile, his hometown, he currently splits his time between London and Los Angeles. In addition to his native Spanish language, he is fluent in English, French and Italian.

Roberts is well known to television audiences for his role as Forrest Gates in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer." He starred in NBC's miniseries "The '60s," BET telefilms' "Walking on Sunshine" and "Masquerade," and Starz!'s "Joe and the Max" as boxer Joe Louis for director Steve James.

Roberts launched his film career in Chicago, appearing in small roles in "Love Jones" and Bill Duke's gangster epic "Hoodlum," before co-starring opposite Denzel Washington in Spike Lee's "He Got Game." In the acclaimed film "Drumline," he portrayed Sean, a rival high school marching band leader, opposite Nick Cannon.

Roberts began acting on stage in the Windy City, appearing in numerous productions with several of the city's renowned theatre companies, including the Steppenwolf Theatre, the Goodman Theatre, the Shakespeare Repertory Theatre and the Northlight and Bailiwick Theatres.

Ventimiglia recently starred in Tom Fontana's series "The Bedford Diaries," which focused on a group of college students in a human sexuality class. He quickly garnered attention when he joined the casts of two critically-acclaimed television dramas: "Gilmore Girls" as the quiet and complicated Jess and NBC's "American Dreams" as a 1960s war radical. He was also a recurring character on David E. Kelley's drama "Boston Public."

Segueing effortlessly between the big and small screen, Ventimiglia's passion for the art of acting keeps him drawn to both stud io and independent features. He recently completed work on the sixth installment of the "Rocky" series, playing Sylvester Stallone's son in "Rocky Balboa." His other film credits include the Disney film "Stay Alive," the Wes Craven/Kevin Williamson thriller "Cursed," the indie film "Dirty Deeds," "Sheer Bliss" and "Massholes." Additionally, he starred in the short films "Nice Guys Finish Last" and "Must Be the Music," which debuted at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival to rave reviews.

As a total eclipse casts its shadow across the globe, a genetics professor in India is led by his father's disappearance to uncover a secret theory -- there are people with super powers living among us. A young dreamer tries to convince his politician brother that he can fly. A high school cheerleader learns that she is totally indestructible. A single mother struggles to make ends meet to support her young son, discovers that her mirror image has a secret. A gifted artist, whose drug addiction is destroying his life and relationship with his girlfriend, can paint the future. And in Japan, a young man develops a way to stop time through sheer will power. Yet, unbeknownst to them all, their ultimate destiny is nothing less than saving the world.

As the "Heroes" continue to test their newfound extraordinary abilities, Claire tries to maintain a normal social life when a romance with the football quarterback takes a tragic turn. While Hiro convinces his friend that they are destined to travel to America to save the world, a frightened Niki follows instructions from a mysterious, unknown source that directs her to the middle of the desert. Meanwhile, Nathan uses Peter's accident to propel his political campaign. The elusive Sylar is being hunted by both Matt and the FBI, as well as Suresh, whose father's journal leads to potential clues.

Suresh finally tracks down one of his father's fabled genetically advanced "supermen." In Las Vegas, Hiro's plan backfires when he cautiously turns time to his advantage at the gambling tables. Niki's mafia debtors use their leverage to their benefit in a more elaborate scheme, while Nathan pays a personal visit to a wealthy Vegas contributor to raise additional campaign funds. Following a tragic turn at a bonfire, Claire's uncanny healing abilities are put to the ultimate test, but according to Isaac's paintings, her future could be fraught with even more peril. Meanwhile, Matt's abilities are gauged by a pair of men who seem to know a great deal about people with special gifts.

Confused after losing track of another block of time, Niki finds the police on her doorstep, searching for her fugitive husband D.L. Hawkins. Claire confesses to her father. Hiro and his friend get jumped by some Vegas highrollers. Peter receives a life-changing message from an unlikely source. Meanwhile, Matt secretly uses his mind-reading ability to anticipate his wife's needs. Dismayed by recent events, Suresh makes plans to return to India to lay both his father's remains and his research to rest.

Hiro and his buddy embark on their heroic journey to New York, when they are stopped by a Vegas high-roller who offers them a deal they can't refuse. As H.R.G sets up a meeting for his daughter Claire with her biological parents, she hopes that questions about her newfound indestructibility can be answered. Meanwhile, Isaac receives another confusing call from Hiro, but Peter is there this time to pick up the phone and relay a life-saving message. Suresh bids farewell to Eden as he heads back to India to bury his father. An unexpected visitor shows up at Niki's home.

Facing a crisis involving her son Micah, a distraught Niki reveals her recent personal struggles to a friend. Pushing aside his own issues at home, Matt assists Audrey's investigation into another bizarre murder, but their pursuit of mysterious serial killer Sylar takes an unexpected turn. After failing to act like a "superhero" when faced with danger, Hiro questions his heroism. Nathan and his wife Heidi strategize how to win the congressional election. Claire is shocked to learn where her missing tape wound up. Meanwhile, her father H.R.G. is disturbed by news from one of his associates.

Back in India to mourn the passing of his father, Suresh encounters mysterious dreams of the past that force him to question what path to take next. Continuing their journey to New York, Hiro and Ando stop at a diner and meet someone interesting. In crisis, Niki comes to a personal understanding. Determined to see one of Isaac's paintings that Simone recently sold, Peter asks Nathan for help in finding a key to the future. Intent on getting back to her normal life, Claire focuses on Homecoming preparations, unaware of what's to come. Meanwhile, H.R.G. and a surprising associate focus their attentions on another "hero."

As H.R.G. tries to protect his daughter by any means; Claire's high school Homecoming celebration turns into a frightening night for many. Nathan and Simone work together to find Isaac's painting for Peter, but this key to the future could lead to tragedy. Meanwhile, Hiro travels back in time to right an upsetting wrong. As Niki puts a goal in sight, Micah spends time with his dad. Still experiencing strange dreams while in India, Suresh learns of a boy that might pull him back into his father's research.

As the clock turns back six months for all of the "Heroes," Mohinder's father Chandra Suresh arrives in New York to begin his quest to find individuals with extraordinary abilities, and meets someone all to eager to be special. Peter celebrates his graduation from nursing school, and learns that Nathan plans to prosecute a case that could mean trouble for the entire Petrelli family. A surprise visit from her father brings out the worst in Niki. Hiro attempts to be a hero and change the future for someone important. Claire joins the cheerleading squad and makes a curious discovery. H.R.G. and the Haitian meet someone special.

The tragic events in Texas have sad, serious repercussions for many of the "heroes," their families and friends. Meanwhile, shocking details about the moments leading up to Isaac's predicted New York City nuclear bombing are revealed. Later, Isaac's newest painting has fascinating future implications for a hero in crisis. Suresh takes the first steps along his new path. Matt and F.B.I. Agent Audrey Hanson pursue a break in the Sylar case. Horrified by Jessica's recent actions, Niki makes a tough decision to protect her family.

Picking up two weeks after recent events, Nathan's determination to save a comatose Peter forces him to turn to Simone for help. Isaac's puzzling "Hiro vs. T-Rex" painting inspires Hiro and Ando to search for the pictured samurai sword. Jessica struggles against Niki's decision to turn herself into police. With his associate Eden dead and Matt on his heels, H.R.G. tries to focus on his orders regarding Sylar. After being offered a choice by the Haitian, Claire struggles with changes her decision has wrought. Taking up his father's quest, Suresh attempts to share information about who is "on the list" of peop e with special abilities and the threats to their lives. Meanwhile, a new hero makes a shocking debut.

Chased by unknown assailants, Hiro's search for the sword takes a turn when his father appears. A cleaned up Isaac dedicates himself to stopping New York's destruction -- and Peter. Claude, an invisible man with a mysterious past, might have something to teach a would-be hero. D.L. struggles with new family responsibilities as Matt opens up to his wife Janice. H.R.G. focuses on his murderous captive, Sylar. Meanwhile, after seeking out the Haitian, Claire secretly embarks on a search for her true birth parents. While working to find those on "the list," Suresh receives a surprising visitor.

Hiro struggles to make his father, a corporate tycoon, and ambitious sister understand his new heroic path in life. Niki has a chance to be with D.L and Micah again, but will she really be with them? Claude attempts to teach Peter to harness his abilities, but the process could shatter Peter's faith in those closest to him. Determined to find her birth mother, Claire makes her way to a trailer park in Texas. Meanwhile, Sylar makes a shocking move against H.R.G. -- and his family.

While the scandalous truth about Claire's real father is revealed, her adoptive mother faces a crisis. Matt takes a job as a bodyguard for a crooked attorney, which puts him in the crosshairs of Linderman's new assassin. Hiro and Ando return to Las Vegas to find the sword, but get sidetracked by a damsel in distress. Suresh finds someone on the list and unknowingly puts himself in grave danger. Meanwhile, Simone turns to some unlikely help in her and Nathan's struggle to find Peter.

Peter painfully learns that someone close may have betrayed him and Claude. Matt's world spirals out of control when radioactive man Ted Sprague and Hana Gitelman, a fierce young woman with "wireless" mental abilities, drop into his life. After blood is spilled, Hiro makes a difficult decision about his mission. Claire is unable to contain her anger at her father.

H.R.G.'s (Jack Coleman) past catches up to him as Matt and Ted Sprague, come to Texas looking for answers, and take him, his wife, son and Claire hostage -- leading to a tragic, explosive showdown. Secrets are revealed and new threats to the "heroes" are introduced.

With the election and NYC's destruction looming, Nathan has a disturbing face-to-face meeting with the shadowy Linderman. Hiro's attempt to steal the sword steers him into a grim new direction. Suresh makes a breakthrough on "the list" -- at great cost. D.L. begins to suspect all is not well at home. Isaac paints his most terrible painting yet. New "hero" Candice Wilmer makes an illusive debut.

After "helping" Suresh search for more people with special abilities, Sylar's rampage continues with two "heroes" being confronted by the stronger-powered serial killer. Nathan must factor what he's learned from Linderman into difficult decisions that will shape the future -- for him, his family, New York City and the world. As Thompson uses every tool at his disposal to find Claire, Linderman drafts Jessica into his far-reaching plans. Meanwhile, Hiro's resolve to "save the world" strengthens in the face of a grim reality.

Thrown five years in the future, Hiro and Ando discover that people with extraordinary abilities are not only widely known about -- after the destruction of New York City and the deaths of millions -- but are being registered, imprisoned, hunted and even killed as "terrorists." As the President takes his first step towards a "final solution," the pair get swept up in what could be the "Heroes" final battle and encounter a range of new and darkly familiar faces. If they survive the experience, can they still get back to the present and save the world?

Now knowing what's at stake if they fail in their mission, Hiro and Ando's determination to save the world is put to the test. Committed to the path, Nathan takes some surprising steps to guarantee his election. Jessica and D.L. begin to learn how their family fits into Linderman's plans. Thompson brings someone new into his company's fold. With more and more blood on his hands, Sylar visits his mom.

Poised to become a member of Congress and maybe more, Nathan considers the cost to those he loves, along with his mother's advice and Linderman's prophecy. As he prepares to face Sylar to the death, Hiro learns of his linage from his father . While various "heroes" fatefully arrive in New York City, Peter and Claire attempt to leave the city before the foretold explosion. H.R.G. and Matt learn the surprising truth behind the tracking system used on people with special abilities.

With Isaac's horrible predictions all unfolding before them, the everyday people with extraordinary abilities face moments of pain and peril in Kirby Plaza with unflinching heroism, as "Heroes" first volume comes to a close.