Star Trek's Sulu to join 'Heroes'

George Takei - best known as Sulu in the original Star Trek series - is reportedly set to join the cast of cult US drama Heroes.

Heroes creator Tim Kring told TV Guide magazine that the casting coup "was one of those lightning-bolt ideas". He revealed that Takei will portray the father of Hiro - a character obsessed by Star Trek.

Actor Masi Oka, who plays Hiro, was thrilled by the news: "This is absolutely brilliant! I just hope I get to say, 'Dad! Sulu is my hero, not you!'"

As reported last week, former Doctor Who star Christopher Eccleston is also lined up for a role in Heroes.