NBC to Debut ‘Heroes’ Spinoff ‘Origins’
New Series Will Keep Things Fresh During Heroes Hiatus
While most were eagerly anticipating what few revelations remained regarding NBC series slated to return to the primetime schedule for the 2007–208 season, the best news that was unveiled at NBC’s upfront presentation in New York today concerns the planned spinoff series for the network’s megahit Heroes. Called Heroes: Origins, the new show centered around characters absent from the original program has an order for six one-hour installments, all of which are set to air during those familiar lulls when the mother show goes on hiatus.
The Peacock Network has faced reality following the decline in ratings experienced by its rookie superstar when it returned from a lengthy seven-week hiatus back in April. Clearly turned off by the repeats, which historically do not perform well for serial dramas based on interconnected storylines, viewers did not welcome the show back with ratings as spectacular as those in the earlier part of the season. Heroes: Origins will therefore serve to keep the newly created franchise vital with fresh, first-run episodes rolling out over a longer period of time.
To further reduce some of the viewership slack caused by repeats-aversion and get fans even more involved, Heroes: Origins will also invite audience participation in an interactive bid enabling the public to vote for its favorite new character introduced on the spinoff. The winning actor or actress will then enjoy increased exposure when he or she receives a coveted spot in the cast of the first Heroes. Very nice indeed.
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Heroes currently airs Mondays on NBC at 9pm EST with the first-season finale scheduled for May 21
Heroes photo courtesy of NBC
