Hayden Panettiere Cheers on Heroes: Season 2!

The world's most famous cheerleader lets fans in on what they can expect when the show picks up in September

In the role of Claire of NBC's Heroes, Hayden Panettiere has become the cheerleader that the world loves and roots for. Due to the huge popularity of this sci-fi/superhero show, everything associated with Heroes is treated like an event. Currently on the horizon is an August 28 DVD/HD-DVD release of Heroes: Season 1, a Heroes world tour, and the start of Heroes Season 2 on September 24.

Hayden Panettiere recently sat down with us to discuss all the events and hype surrounding the show.

What has the chemistry been like on the set for Season 2?

Hayden Panettiere: It's been great, we have a new character that Dania Ramirez is playing her name's Maya. She's been really fun. I haven't really gotten a chance to be around them a whole lot other than a few passings on set, but it seems everyone is pretty excited to be a part of the show, you know? It's an already established show and its been doing great and it's a wonderful show. Most of the people who have joined the cast have seen it and are just psyched to be there.

Jack Coleman said that HRG is up to his old tricks in Season 2. How do you feel about that dynamic coming back?

Hayden Panettiere: I think we all have proven in this show we all have our dirty little secrets. Him going back... I think him becoming the house dad wouldn't be very exciting. The good dad, people like watching the good/bad people. You sometimes want to hate Jack's character and you sometimes want to love him. It's kind of a toss up depending on what side you're on. How do I feel about that? I think it's exciting for him. I'm not sure about exactly what's going to happen, as I said everyone has their dirty little secrets, but I'm excited to see what happens with everyone. I wish I could turn bad. I would turn bad in a second... yeah, I'd be the villain. (Laughs)

When Season 2 picks up, where is it in Claire's life that we find her? How do you meet your boyfriend West (Nick D'Agosto)?

Hayden Panettiere: Well, it's four months from where we left off last Season. Claire is really trying to get in touch with her inner teen self, once again. She hasn't given that up and I think it'd be a sad thing if she did. She's struggling to fit in but not stand out and obviously they're still hiding and running from these people. And West, I think the funny thing about Claire is that as much as she has that beautiful naivete about her and as sweet as she is, she has that sass about her so it's fun to watch her, but I think when she meets West, you guys will see... it's a gradual meeting.

Are we going to see Claire get into some gory predicaments in Season 2?

Hayden Panettiere: Well of course, that's her ability, you know? I think the longer she has it and the farther it goes the less she's really conscious of it. The less she thinks about it. She notices when she can't do certain things, that's when it clicks in her head. Trust me, you will see plenty of blood, plenty of snaps and pops and crackles.

Is there going to be an attempt on Claire's part to get back with Peter (Milo Ventimiglia) and Nathan (Adrian Pasdar) and create more of a family?

Hayden Panettiere: I have absolutely no idea about quite yet. We have not gotten that far. They're both dealing with really interesting storylines. There'll be a little bit but I am sure she hasn't seen the last of the Petrelli's.

You're going to Europe for the
Heroes world tour, can you confirm who might be going with you?

Hayden Panettiere: It's me, Milo, Jack and Adrian.

Do you have any thoughts for what you'd like to see your character do in Season 2 or any upcoming seasons?

Hayden Panettiere: She's come a long way from where she was the First Season. She's matured incredibly... I would love to see her work with the characters she hasn't worked with. I'd be ecstatic to work with them. I think I've worked with less of the cast than I have worked with. Yeah, I want to work with my castmates.

What happens to the rest of Claire's family? She's with her dad... are your mother and brother just left behind?

Hayden Panettiere: No, of course not. Where would Mr. Muggles be then? I think you might see more this season.

Heroes Second Season begins September 24 at 9PM on NBC.

Dont't forget to also check out: Heroes