Dana Davis And Nichelle Nichols on "Heroes"

New to Season 2 of "Heroes" are Dana Davis as Monica Dawson and "Star Trek" alum Nichelle Nichols as Nana Dawson. The Dawson's are relatives of the late D.L. and Micah, and are providing the pint-sized hero a place to stay. This week, the two ladies sat down on a conference call with journalists to discuss "Heroes," "Star Trek," and the burden of telling a story in post-Katrina New Orleans.

On whether it was emotionally difficult to play characters who had been affected by Katrina:
Dana: I have to say in the beginning it was, because when I did my research, I watched some documentaries about Katrina. I'm the kind of person that when I see someone crying I cry too. I take on that emotion, so sometimes I run from it. And when I got this part I couldn't run anymore. It really made it real to me, because you know, “Heroes” is so surreal and it’s fun. Bringing in this element of reality, it was hard for me. So I have to find a way to kind of put it in a box so I could play this fun, upbeat character. But I think it makes the character more real.

Nichelle: I watched Katrina on television like a junkie, I couldn't turn it off and I was at the crying stage daily, especially with the little children and the people who lost their homes, those who succumbed to the pain and those who stood tall through thick and thin. I thought, my god, this is real; this is the reality of what can happen. I'm in the fire zone, and though my house is safe, it brought home just how delicate your existence can be at any given time and to be able to play this role and to have this circumstance, I could relate to her so powerfully and how she had stood tall and diffident and it either makes you or breaks you, and I could see that Nana was not broken. Injured but not broken.

Dana on whether Monica and the other family members will help clean up New Orleans:
I think you’re right there with what the producers want, that's exactly the direction they're going. Bringing the Katrina thing into "Heroes" I think the idea was to just restore a little bit of hope to a community that's lost a lot. Yes it's make-believe but it restores a little bit of hope to people, you know, because people are watching it sand saying “hey, that's us on TV.”

Dana on whether it was exciting to be working with Nichelle Nichols:
Oh, I hate to admit this, because usually I like to have my game face on, but, when one of the producers told me, “guess who's playing Nana” and I was like, “who” and he goes “Nichelle Nichols.” I was like “shut up” and I remember I punched him; then I called my agent and my manager and they were so excited. My mom was more excited that I was working with Nichelle than that I was on “Heroes.” She was like, “can you tell Nichelle I said hi” and I said, “Mom, I can't just say, Hey guess what, my mom said hi.” It was so cool, it was surreal. She has so much grace and beauty, I'm always joking that I'm upstaged by her. You know, we walk into a room and everybody's like, “oh, Nichelle!" and I'm like, “uh, guys, I'm here too.” But it's great, it's a real treat, I'm a big fan.

Nichelle on how she found out she got the role:
Someone not even affiliated with me had tracked me down and said, "Isn't this incredible, you're going to be on 'Heroes.'" I called my agent and said, “People are telling me I'm going to be on 'Heroes,'" and he said, "How would they know?" and I said, "They're Trekkers, they know everything."

Nichelle on how much more we'll see of Nana:
Right now it's a recurring role, it keeps growing, and I'm liking it very much. I don't know how many more I'm doing because it keeps continuing to extend, and I hope it keeps continuing to extend… On the next episode that you'll see me, I think you've seen me three times, my introduction and a couple of scenes. The next one will be a flashback to four months ago.

Dana on what her powers on, and what else we'll see from Monica:
I think right now my powers, well; you know how "Heroes" powers have a way of developing throughout the season. So right now I have a power of whatever I see I can do, but it's limited to physical things. It's a physical ability… You're going to see Monica get pretty tough. As far as her getting into fights with other characters, I can't really say anything right now, but you will definitely see a lot of her fighting, it gets pretty exciting. I can say that.

Dana on whether the St. Joan comic will come true in future:
I don't 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... I think also Monica is going to go a place that no NBC hero has gone before. It's going to be really fun to see Monica's story unfold.

Dana on whether she was a fan of "Heroes:"
I was a loyal viewer, I actually was a fan of the show before anyone else, because I got the pilot over the summer and watched it, and I remember calling my friends and being like, “I have the newest hit” so they came over and we watched the DVD that I had, and it was like a ritual, a Monday night ritual to watch Heroes.

Nichelle on the new "Star Trek" movie:
I think it’s just terrific and to know that Gene's (Roddenberry) legacy shall not only live in what was here when he was here but to be going on. I think in JJ Abrams’ hands, I think all the respect and wonderful things that went into "Star Trek" will be honored, but I think he will also take it even to new heights, as Gene would have loved. I know he's up in heaven going, “Right on!”

Comments

[Heroes Among Us]

Great interviews. Based on previews for episode 6, I can see Monica and Niki crossing paths. Perhaps a showdown?