BBC Two controller Roly Keating has said that Heroes "fills a missing part" of the channel's brand.

"BBC Two bides its time with acquisitions," Keating explained. "We never depend on them. But Heroes - that's the one.

"I love it. It's a very broad, smart, intelligent piece of American television you can build on. You can bring programmes around it. It brings a great dose of smart fiction into the schedule."

When asked what specifically about the show is quintessentially BBC Two, Keating explained: "Heroes fills a missing part of Two's brand. BBC Two used to have Quantum Leap, it used to have X Files. Heroes forms part of a well-balanced, smart schedule."