Q&A: Greg Grunberg teases 'Heroes' future

Warning: This article contains spoilers about the final episodes of Heroes season four that some readers may prefer to avoid.

You've got to feel sorry for Matt Parkman. He's not had the easiest of rides - afflicted by personal strife and an ongoing battle with that bothersome body-snatcher, Sylar. Now, just as he thinks he's getting his life back on track, Parkman's nemesis is back for one final burst of revenge. We caught up with Greg Grunberg to find out what's to come in this season's final few episodes of Heroes and get the latest on those persistent cancellation rumours.

Are you pleased with Matt's journey on Heroes this season?
"I am actually, I've been pretty happy with what they've given me. Every year they make my character more and more important to the story, to the history of these characters and where they're going. So I can't complain! At the end of last season they turned to Matt to take Sylar down, then he begrudgingly did it, knowing there would be consequences. Again, he just wants to have a normal life and a family, but it's not going to happen."

You had some awesome scenes with Zach in the first half of the season. How was it working with him again?
"Zach's the best. He's amazing and a great guy. The two of us have a kind of shorthand when we work together, so we can step on each other a bit and the dialogue flows more naturally. It was cool because I got to imitate him a bit, when he was controlling my body. We had a lot of fun with it."

Some of the scenes were quite dark, but bizarrely, also really funny.
"Yeah, which is great. That's what I love. It's a really delicate balance but it's exactly what you just said, there's also a comedic edge - he's so good at doing that."

There are just three episodes left this season. What's to come?
"The remaining episodes this season, Matt gets very dark. He tries once and for all to take care of Sylar. Some would say he does succeed. It's really dark, and he almost gets possessed in his obsession with ending this chapter of his life. I hope it's gonna scare people and they see a side of Matt Parkman they've never seen. When I read the script I was like 'Oh my God, this guy's really gonna do whatever it takes.' He's already basically killed himself to get rid of Sylar before, but now he's doing something that's just disturbing."

It's such a shame, because he just seems to be back on the right path. How will this affect his relationship with Janice going forward?
"What I'm talking about that he does, he does it in his house. So basically all bets are off. He discusses it with his wife - it's one of those things where your back's up against the wall and you have no choice but to deal with it. I think it's an interesting way and a good thing."

I read some quotes from you about the end of this season where you say there is no way this could be a series finale. Does it end on a cliffhanger then? Most of the volumes wrap themselves up.
"What I like about our show is that you'll end the volume and then start the next volume at the end of a season. There's a bit of that, but what I was talking about is that it's not really an appropriate ending to a show like this. I think you just really need to wrap up these stories. You owe it to the audience to do it in a great way, and I don't think we're anywhere near doing that, so that's why it just doesn't seem possible that this would be the last season for our show."

When do you think you'll find out if you've been renewed?
"We should find out soon. The writers need some lead-time to write the episodes so we should find out this week, maybe next week. I dunno."

Recently we caught up with Masi Oka, who suggested that season five would be a reboot with a new league of Heroes. What do you think of that idea? Is it realistic?
"No, I think he's crazy! It's kind of a cool idea, but at the same time, they've kind of tried that already. Season two, they brought in all these new heroes and it just didn't work. People really want to identify with the characters they signed on to take the ride with at the beginning. I just don't think that would work on our show."

You've had some really strong stories this year, but unfortunately, the ratings have dropped off throughout the season. Why do you think that is?
"I think NBC altogether has had a problem holding the audience. They used to be the number one network, and it was easy to launch off another show. They moved us around, time-wise, to 8pm, but I don't think we're an 8pm show, we're a 9pm show. Now we're back to 9pm but they didn't let anyone know they were doing that - literally, no-one knew! So I don't know, it's one of those things that's very difficult to say. I think NBC has much bigger problems than just the dip in the ratings for Heroes. I think we're in a good position to come back in a strong way. But there are so many factors leading in to it and NBC's getting such a bad rap right now, so who knows? Hopefully they're going to find a new identity."

But with everything that's happening, particularly with Leno, it's kind of good for you guys in a way, because it gives you a greater chance of being renewed.
"Yeah, if they didn't renew us, they'd then have six hours of TV to replace. But you know, stranger things have happened. It just doesn't feel like the end of our show - both on the business side, or story-wise."

Halfway through this season, we sadly lost Adrian Pasdar as Nathan. What's it been like without him around?
"It's always tough when something like that happens, and especially when it's someone like Adrian, who's such an anchor as a person. He's a guy that everybody leans on and he's got more experience than anybody. He's a great actor and a good guy. He plays in the Band On TV with me, Hugh Laurie and James Denton, so I have the advantage of seeing him all the time, but I'm going to miss seeing him on screen. Some of my best stuff was when Parkman and Nathan partnered up. But it's the nature of these shows - characters have to go, and he understood that."

What's the latest with the Band From TV?
"We just finished building our own space. The band is cookin'! Our website at bandfromtv.org tells you when we're playing next. Every penny of our proceeds goes to the charities and right now is the most important time, with what's happened in Haiti. We're going to the Fallsview Casino in Canada in March, right above Niagara Falls, which is going to be a great gig for us, then we come back here for a couple dates."

Is it possible you might do Idol Gives Back again this year?
"If they ask, we'd love to. That was a blast, so great and we had a really good time doing it."

You've confirmed you're back on Lost for the final season, albeit briefly. Was it much work?
"No. Very, very briefly. Hahaha!"

It was just audio?
"Erm... you gotta watch to see! My schedule's insane right now, with the band, Heroes and my iPhone app, so I couldn't do much, but it was great. When those guys asked me to come back, I jumped at the chance. I love working with Damon, Carlton and JJ."

As for Heroes, whenever it does end, where would you like to see Matt end up?
"I would like to see Matt end up in some sort of authoritative position, like in the military or Homeland Security, at the same time as having his home life in order, raising his kid with his wife. Just being happy. Kind of coming back to the simple stuff."

Is that likely?
"I hope so! But I doubt it. I think they're going to end our show in some kind of big action way, and I'm sure - well, I hope - I'll be involved in that. Then again, there's so many stories to wrap up that you have to assume Matt goes back to his normal life! I dunno. Anything could happen."

Heroes continues Mondays at 9pm on NBC.

What do you think of the upcoming Matt-Sylar showdown? Should Sylar be killed off for good? And do you think Heroes will be back for a fifth season? Add your comments to this entry below!