August 1st, 2008
Daddy Petrelli Lives … as Robert Forster
We knew sooner or later that we’d end up seeing him. Who are we talking about? Arthur Petrelli, of course, the father of the superpowered boys Petrelli. Today we got word from the folks at Entertainment Weekly that Michael Ausiello, the mag’s TV scoop king, has confirmed that no other than Robert Forster has been cast to play Arthur Petrelli. Unfortunately Ausiello has no idea if the patriarch of the Petrelli brood will be showing up in the present day, or in flashbacks in one of the show’s many jaunts through time. When you have characters that can travel through time, death is a minor problem.
Here’s EW’s Ausiello with the news:
Given Heroes’ penchant for time travel, though, there’s no telling if we’ll see Arthur in the present, via flashback, or during one of Hiro’s little excursions. Another unknown: whether Arthur will use his powers (’cause you know he’s got ‘em) for good or evil.
Rumors of Arthur’s possible “resurrection” this season have been burning up the Internets for months. And while it’s not clear when Forster will first turn up, at press tour last month, his on-screen widow, Cristine Rose, hinted in this video interview that a bombshell would be dropped in the two-hour premiere on Sept. 22. “There’s a secret that comes out that if you’re a true fan, you’re just going to die,” she teased. “It’s a good Angela secret, and it’s [not about] her powers.”
Robert Forster is a pretty prolific movie actor, but has made forays into television before, most recently in the ABC show Karen Sisco, and guest spots on Numbers and Desperate Housewives. His recent movie credits include “Cleaner”, “Rise”, and “D-War”.
