US TV network NBC has confirmed that original stars from its successful sci-fi series Heroes are likely to return for its upcoming spin-off.
Heroes Reborn will be a 13-episode series that is set to air in 2015, but an official cast has yet to be announced.
In a surprise announcement, NBC's entertainment chairman Robert Greenblatt said at a New York presentation that several of the original characters are expected to return.
“Some familiar faces from the show are bound to drop in," he said. “We have a big mini-series called Heroes Reborn, based on one of NBC's strongest dramas in recent years.”
He added: “Its original creator Tim Kring will reboot the show. Plus, we'll ramp into the show with an original online series prior to launch.”
Heroes originally ran for four seasons from 2006 to 2010, and starred the likes of Zachary Quinto, Masi Oka, Hayden Panettiere and Jack Coleman.
Panettiere - who played indestructible teen Claire in Heroes and currently stars in country music drama Nashville - recently said that she has not been contacted to appear in the new show.
