Bell will play "Elle," a mysterious woman with ties to several of the show's main characters. According to a press release from NBC, Bell's character will be introduced in October, and will be on the show for several episodes. Like "Mars," "Heroes" is a serial drama with complex characters, so it's right up her alley.
The actress already is attached to another CW show, providing voiceover narration for the new drama "Gossip Girl," but it's nice to see her handed a TV role that allows her to use more than her voice. I'm also pleased to see that she has a number of movies coming out, including Judd Apatow's buzz-heavy comedy "Forgetting Sarah Marshall."
At a time when so many young actresses are better known for their appearances in the tabloids than their body of work, Bell is a breath of fresh air -- a genuinely talented woman who chooses interesting material. Even before "Mars," her resume included a stint on HBO's dark drama "Deadwood" and a role in the tough and tangled David Mamet film "Spartan."
I'm so pleased that her career has continued to bloom, despite the cancellation of "Mars," and I can't wait to see her on "Heroes."