With Davis playing muscle mimic Monica, and “Star Trek” alum Nichols playing her sure-to-have-a-power grandmother, Nana, the post-Katrina New Orleans residents have slowly been discovering new abilities. And having tech geek Micah around to lend a heroic helping hand doesn’t hurt either.
We talked to the duo about their new roles, the future of their powers and some “Trekkie” connections with cast mates.
What has been the most rewarding part of your decades-long career?
Nichelle Nichols: The most rewarding thing about it for me is being able to make my living doing the one thing that I love the most, and would probably do for free. I grew up making costumes and dreaming of Broadway. And a funny thing happened to me on my way to the theater. “Star Trek” interrupted my career and changed my life and I’ve never looked back.
How did you find out you’d gotten this part?
NN: Someone tracked me down and said, “Isn’t this incredible? You’re going to be on ‘Heroes.’” And I called my agent and he said, ‘How would they know?” I said, “They’re Trekkers. They know everything.” He called me a few hours later and said, “You’re on.” I thought it was just a one-time guest shot, and he said, “No sweetheart—you have a recurring role. You’re joining the cast!” I was delighted.
Dana, when you heard Nichelle was playing your Nana, did you already know who she was?
Dana Davis: One of the producers told me, like, “Guess who’s playing Nana. Nichelle Nichols!” And I was like, “Shut up!” and I punched him. I was so excited. My mom was more excited that I was working with Nichelle than [she was] that I was on “Heroes.” She was like, “Will you please tell Nichelle that I said hi?” And I’m like, “Mom, I can’t just say, hey guess what, my mom said hi.” [Laughs]
How much training do you have to do to really show off your powers on the show?
DD: Oh my God. You know, I was kind of thrown into it. I showed up for work and they were like, “Guess what Dana?” And so it was really hard on me because I came out of shape. I mean, I’m an actor, you know? I don’t even work out! And so I had to do a lot of physical things right away, like the double-dutching and doing a lot of the karate. And I spent a lot of my weeks really, really sore at first.
So the show is pretty exhausting?
DD: It’s funny because before I joined the cast of “Heroes,” I was an insomniac. I have suffered from insomnia for so long. Now that I’m on the show, I sleep like a baby.
If you had your character’s power, what would you most want to watch and copy?
DD: I would want to join the NBA…I’ve always wanted to slam dunk and impress the boys in my family.
And Nichelle, we know you can’t spill about what your power is—or if you even have one—but what would your dream power be?
NN: I’m going to keep that under my belt. [Laughs] I don’t want to jinx it.
So Dana, are your powers only for mimicking physical things? Or do you think they could evolve to be like Peter Petrelli and Sylar where you could mimic other powers you see?
DD: Well, you know, heroes’ powers have a way of evolving throughout the season. So right now, my power is that whatever I see I can do—it’s limited to physical ability. They already have that supernatural element with Peter and with Sylar, who can do everything. I think [with Monica], they wanted to capitalize on the amazing abilities of human beings.
Any great knock-down, drag-out fights coming up for Monica?
DD: Monica gets pretty tough. As far as being with other heroes in some cool fights, we can only hope. I really can’t say right now. But I can say that you will see a lot of her fighting.
Nichelle, back to "Star Trek" for a second. Have you had a chance to meet Zach Quinto, who plays Sylar? You all have the Trekkie connection, since he’ll be playing young Spock in the upcoming movie…
NN: I saw him in one of the episodes and said, “Oh my God, what an actor.” And then when I met him in person, I said, "This is the young Spock." They did a brilliant job casting him.
Any chance you’ll have a cameo role in the new film?
NN: Wouldn’t that be nice? I will be blasting it all over the world if and when that should happen. I think that would be so wonderful.
And are there any similarities between your die-hard “Star Trek” fans and all the die-hard “Heroes” fans?
NN: That’s a good question. Die-hard “Trek” fans are die-hard “Heroes” fans.
Will Monica and her super-family maybe help fight crime and clean up Katrina?
DD: Wow. I think you’re right there with the producers, the direction they’re going. I think bringing Katrina into “Heroes” is not trying to be political—I think what they’re trying to do is restore a little bit of hope to a community that’s lost a lot.
Micah showed you a copy of a “9th Wonders!” comic book with St. Joan a few episodes ago, saying she’s just like you. Is that a sign that your character might don a costume and start fighting crime?
DD: Wow, I don’t even know what I can say. But I can say that that’s a good guess. I can say that. But I think that’s all I can say.
Come on…
DD: It’s going to be really fun to see Monica’s story unfold because it’s something that’s not been done on “Heroes” yet.
”Heroes” airs Mondays at 9 p.m./8c on NBC.
