A Heroes Sneak Peak

Heroes is back on Monday after a seven-week break with a new mythology and a trio of gents who will shake (and blow) things up.

The mutant world of Heroes is about to get much bigger. British actor Christopher Eccleston joins the cast when the NBC hit returns from winter hiatus on Jan. 22. He's playing Claude, an invisible man who haunts the streets of New York. In case you film buffs were wondering: Yes, the character is named after Claude Rains, star of 1933's The Invisible Man. According to creator Tim Kring, Eccleston's mystery man will "introduce a large element of mythology to the show. You're about to learn that there was a whole previous generation of heroes and that they had adventures of their own." A flashback episode slated for late February will explain much of their history, says Kring, and more older heroes will be revealed as the series progresses.

Also factoring into the mix are two supporting players who'll see much bigger action this spring: the mind-erasing "Haitian" (Jimmy Jean-Louis) and "Radioactive Man" Ted Sprague (Matthew John Armstrong). Jean-Louis' character — who works for Horn Rimmed Glasses — finally spoke in December's winter finale. He'll reveal a mysterious agenda of his own when he starts spilling family secrets to Claire. Says Jean-Louis, "It's nice to finally have a voice and know I'll be using it often." (Unresolved riddle: Why so mum in the first place?)

I really, I really can't wait for Monday now!