Hayden Panettiere was a seasoned professional by the time she auditioned for "Heroes" at the age of 16. But unlike many actors who start working as kids, Hayden had no sense of jaded child actor quality to her. Although confident in her abilities, she was still guileless, sweet, and always open to suggestions.

A True Team Player

Hayden was a true team player, which was important for a show with a large ensemble cast. She was levelheaded beyond her years as a person and singularly talented as an actor, with an almost savant-like quality about her work. It wasn’t just that Hayden could learn lines with ease — it was her rare ability to find and explore the nuances of drama and humor and pathos in any scene she was in.

Hayden’s Performance in ‘Heroes’

Looking back, her performance in "Heroes" was amazing. She was playing her actual age, which made for kind of a meta quality to the role because she had to understand her own teenage emotions in order to access them. Most 16-year-olds don’t know how to interpret or articulate these emotions, let alone embody them. But she had a deep understanding of human nature that belied her age.

Tim Kring’s Reflection on Hayden Panettiere

As a showrunner, I have come to appreciate how rare it is to cross paths with a talent like Hayden’s. But more importantly, I will remember her as a kind and gentle person who was always a joy and an inspiration to work with. Hayden and I didn’t have too much contact after "Heroes" ended in 2010. A few years later, however, when I inquired with her agent about her availability for another project, Hayden called immediately and teasingly admonished me.

"You don’t have to call my agent. Don’t be Hollywood about it. Just pick up the phone and call me," she insisted.

Hayden Panettiere’s Legacy

As a showrunner, I have come to appreciate how rare it is to cross paths with a talent like Hayden’s. But more importantly, I will remember her as a kind and gentle person who was always a joy and an inspiration to work with. Hayden’s performance in "Heroes" will always be remembered as a shining example of her talent and dedication to her craft.