BBC Two puts its faith in Heroes

Heroes, the top-rating new series for the coveted 18 to 49 year old age group in America this season, is to be screened on BBC Two next year.

This epic drama, chronicling the lives of ordinary people who discover they possess extraordinary powers, has been licensed by the BBC from NBC Universal International Television Distribution.

As the number one new show of the season and one of the highest-rated programmes on US network television, Heroes currently pulls in 14.3 million viewers, with a 6.2 rating/15 share among Adults 18-49.

It has also been a critical success, with The Los Angeles Times describing it as "a cleverly naturalistic approach to a superhero story" (17.09.06) and the Associated Press saying: "Something fresh and skillfully executed, Heroes is like nothing else on TV" (22.09.06).

Sue Deeks, BBC Television's Head of Series, Programme Acquisition, secured the free terrestrial television rights to Heroes in the UK for the BBC.

She says: "Heroes is a fresh and imaginative take on the superhero theme and features amazing special effects – BBC Two is the perfect home for such an intriguing, intelligent and irresistible drama."

Roly Keating, Controller of BBC Two, says: "We're really looking forward to bringing this innovative and compelling fantasy drama to a terrestrial television audience later next year."

From the creator/writer Tim Kring (Crossing Jordan), this 23 episode drama begins as a total eclipse casts its shadow across the globe.

A genetics professor (Sendhil Ramamurthy, Blind Guy Driving) in India is led by his father's disappearance to uncover a secret theory – that there are people with super powers living among us.

A young dreamer (Milo Ventimiglia, Gilmore Girls) tries to convince his politician brother (Adrian Pasdar, Judging Amy) that he can fly.

A high school cheerleader (Hayden Panettiere, Ice Princess) learns that she is totally indestructible.

A Las Vegas stripper (Ali Larter, Final Destination) struggling to make ends meet to support her young son (Noah Gray-Cabey, My Wife & Kids) discovers that her mirror image has a secret.

A gifted artist (Santiago Cabrera, Empire) whose drug addiction is destroying his life and relationship with his girlfriend (Tawny Cypress, Third Watch), can paint the future.

A down-on-his luck beat cop (Greg Grunberg, Alias) can hear people's thoughts including the secrets of a captured terrorist.

And in Japan, a young man (Masi Oka, Scrubs) develops a way to stop time through sheer will power.

Their ultimate destiny is nothing less than saving the world...

Joining Kring as executive producers are Dennis Hammer (Crossing Jordan) and Allan Arkush (Crossing Jordan).

David Semel (House) executive produced and directed the pilot.

The cheap television blog also has a entry about Heroes