As of today, Jesse Alexander and I have left Heroes. I’m incredibly proud to have been a big part of the success a show with eight Emmy nods and a win this year for NBC.com. I will miss the superb cast and writing staff and wish everyone the best.”

From CBR

I write this with a heavy heart. As of today I am no longer a writer/producer on HEROES. I could not be prouder of all the work I did on the show and wish all my Heroic Scribbler pals the very best. I will certainly continue to blog at GLOBAL COUCH.

From Alexander's Blog

There's been a feeling that he's delegated too much responsibility for writing and story development to his top writing lieutenants, co-exec producers Jesse Alexander and Jeph Loeb (Daily Variety, Nov. 3).More than one option(Co) Daily Variety
Filmography, Year, Role
(Co) Daily Variety

On Sunday, at the prodding of NBC execs, Kring made the tough call to let Alexander and Loeb go from the show that the duo had helped shepherd since season one. Kring has assured NBC and Universal Media Studios brass that he intends to focus on simplifying what's been criticized, even by ardent fans, as an overly complex storytelling structure to get back to the show's comicbookish good vs. evil themes and to emphasize character development more than plot twists.

Source: variety

PW: I loved Monica's power - the ability to mimic any behavior - whose was your favorite?
Dana: I am in love with Hiro's power, but mine was definitely the most fun. Like the other actors just close their eyes to demonstrate their powers, I got to run and jump and it was amazing.

PW: The last we saw Monica, she had caused Niki (Ali Larter) to "die," when does the season premiere pick up?
Dana: We pick up right there.

PW: Do you play a large part in season three?
Dana: Well, I would just say to fans of Monica's, I don't want to disappoint them, but her storyline wraps up fairly quickly.

PW: Why?
Dana: "Heroes" didn't get the same critical or fan acclaim in season two, so I think the creators felt a lot of pressure because the ratings dropped and it wasn't nominated for any Emmys. And with the strike, I feel like the writers had a lot of time to sit around and think. They wanted to come back really strong and go back to what the show was in season one - less drama, more action. And they took it in a different direction that didn't really include Monica.

PW: That's terrible, I thought there was a lot of potential there.
Dana: Yeah, me too. I loved the character and I love the power - but I totally understand and it makes a lot of sense knowing where the story goes.

PW: And heroes return all the time - it's a small superpowered world!
Dana: Absolutely! Tim Kring [creator] and I have talked about that, you never know when I'll show up again!

EPISODE 3.01 (first hour of the two-hour premiere)

"THE SECOND COMING" – Sept. 22

“VOLUME 3: VILLAINS” MAKES A TWO-HOUR SPECIAL DEBUT WITH REVELATIONS THAT WILL REDEFINE FAMILIAR CHARACTERS AND SHAKE THE SERIES TO ITS CORE — The first chapter of “Volume 3: Villains” kicks off moments after shots rang out, as the shocking identity of Nathan’s (Adrian Pasdar) assassin and the reasons why the Texas press conference had to be cut short are revealed — immediately throwing Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) and Matt (Greg Grunberg) into unexpected, uncharted territory. With his powers partially restored, Sylar (Zachary Quinto) decides a visit to Claire (Hayden Panettiere) could give him a boost. Meanwhile, in Tokyo, Hiro (Masi Oka) and Ando (James Kyson Lee) are charged with safeguarding a family secret that could split the planet apart, and discover that the path to a grim future starts with shady speedster, Daphne (guest star Brea Grant). In New York City, thanks to Maya (Dania Ramirez), Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) makes a startling breakthrough that could change the world — or just destroy his. And who is Tracy Strauss? Ali Larter, Cristine Rose and Jack Coleman star. Noah Gray-Cabey, Ashley Crow, Randall Bentley, Jimmy Jean-Louis, George Takei, Malcolm McDowell, Carlon Jeffery, Jamie Hector, Bruce Boxleitner, Francis Capra and Blake Shields guest star.

EPISODE 3.02 (second hour of the two-hour premiere)

"THE BUTTERFLY EFFECT" – Sept. 22

A DOZEN VILLAINS WITH UNIMAGINABLE POWER ARE UNLEASHED AFTER THE COMPANY IS ATTACKED — SYLAR VS. ELLE (KRISTEN BELL) — ANGELA PETRELLI (CRISTINE ROSE) TAKES CONTROL AND REVEALS A JAW-DROPPING SECRET — WRITTEN BY CREATOR TIM KRING AND DIRECTED BY EXECUTIVE PRODUCER GREG BEEMAN — In the shocking second chapter of “Volume 3: Villains,” Angela (Cristine Rose) clashes with her much-changed son, Peter (Milo Ventimiglia), over how best to avert a seemingly inevitable worldwide catastrophe. First, Sylar (Zachary Quinto) declares war on the Company by attacking their main facility, and finds even more than he bargained for on Level 5. During a devastating battle with Elle (guest star Kristen Bell), a dozen savage criminals — all with terrible abilities — escape. Meanwhile, Claire (Hayden Panettiere) discovers something new and unexpected about her abilities. Determined to reclaim his family’s terrible secret, Hiro (Masi Oka) and Ando (James Kyson Lee) track Daphne (guest star Brea Grant) to Paris. After a fateful night, Suresh (Sendhil Ramamurthy) is thrilled to find his research, his life and his relationship with Maya (Dania Ramirez) evolving in leaps and bounds. Stuck in unfamiliar territory, Matt (Greg Grunberg) finds a guide (guest star Ntare Mwine) to help him. Ali Larter, Adrian Pasdar and Jack Coleman star. Ashley Crow, Jessalyn Gilsig, Malcolm McDowell, Stephen Tobolowsky, Bruce Boxleitner, Francis Capra, Blake Shields, William Katt, Ken Lally, David H. Lawrence XVII, Andre Royo and Kiko Ellsworth guest star.

The program will be available from Aug. 30-Sept. 28 to NBC's 232 TV affiliates as well as to sister channels including USA, Sci Fi, Bravo, UniHD, Chiller, mun2, MSNBC, CNBC, Oxygen, Sleuth and NBC2Go in addition to on-demand and broadband. It also will screen on selected United Airlines flights.

BBC secures lifetime rights to 'Heroes'

The BBC has picked up the lifetime rights to air Heroes in the UK.

The broadcaster has signed a deal with US studio NBC Universal to show all future seasons of the cult drama, staving off a potential rival bid from Sky.

"As long as Heroes is on in the US, we will show Heroes," BBC acquisitions head George McGhee told Digital Spy. "It's a long-term partnership, and I think that was the right thing to do. [NBC] are really pleased that we've got Heroes - and they don't want it going to a commercial broadcaster."

The BBC plans to air the upcoming third season on BBC Two and BBC Three from late September, just days after its US broadcast.

Best Television Series on DVD

EUREKA (Season 1) (Universal)
HEROES (Season 1) (Universal)
HUSTLE (Complete Seasons 2 and 3) (BBC Warner)
LOST (The Complete Third Season) (Buena Vista)
MI:5 (Volumes 4 & 5) (BBC Warner)
PLANET EARTH: THE COMPLETE BBC SERIES (BBC Warner)

Written by Joe Kelly, Steven T. Seagle, Duncan Rouleau, Christopher Zatta, Mark Sable, Mark Warshaw, Christine Boylan, Chuck Kim, Harrison Wilcox, Pierluigi Cothran, Jim Martin, Timm Keppler, DJ Doyle and others; Art by Staz Johnson, Michael Gaydos, Tom Grummett, Ryan Odagawa, Jason Badower, Travis Kotzebue, Marcus To and 0thers; Cover by Gene Ha

The sequel to last year's top-selling HEROES hardcover is here! This stunning new volume collects the incredibly engaging online comics based on the smash-hit, Emmy Award-nominated NBC TV series Heroes! Collecting every online chapter from Season Two, this volume features the work of top TV and comics writers. Included are the stories "TheTen Brides of Takezo Kensei," "The End of Hana and Drucker," "The Golden Goose" and many more!

Wildstorm Universe | 272pg. | Color | Hardcover | $29.99 US

On Sale November 19, 2008