Congrats on the Heroes gig! Is this some kind of evil plot of yours to send fanboys over the edge?
Kristen Bell: Absolutely. It is all part of my plan for world domination — and by "world," I mean Fanboy World.
How did the gig come about? It's no secret that you've been fielding many offers, including from Lost.
Bell: Obviously, I was in an extremely lucky position. I've kind of felt like I've been on a sugar high the last couple of weeks. Having any of those options… it still feels surreal. How do you make the decision between [Lost and Heroes]? Basically, being able to stay in [Los Angeles] was a little bit of a factor for me [in terms of turning down Lost]. But I was honored to even be considered by Lost. I really, really was, because I love that show. But I have social relationships with a lot of the people who work on Heroes, through so many random connections. It was sort of funny that so many of my friends had been working on this show. I spent a lot of time with a few of them at Comic-Con. I was actually sitting on the train [back from San Diego] with Zachary Quinto and Masi Oka, and some of the writers were on the train and they were like, "Hey, if you ever want to come on Heroes, give us a call!" And I sort of joked back, "I'd love that!" Later on I said to Zach, "Hey, if they were serious, I would love to work with you guys." And somehow, somebody made it happen.
Wait a second — you ride the train?!
Bell: [Laughs] Yeah, coming back from Comic-Con; none of us drove because the traffic was so bad. So we just took the three-hour train ride back.
Weren't you mobbed by fans?
Bell: No way! Are you kidding me? No one recognizes me.
Seriously?
Bell: I'm dead serious. It's rare.
Was part of the appeal of doing Heroes the fact that it's a limited gig, thus allowing you to keep your career options open?
Bell: That's certainly not a bad point. I am kind of in the luckiest position possible, because they're allowing me to leave it open-ended. So, yeah, that was extremely appealing. Also, everyone I know who is involved in Heroes has had nothing but excellent things to say about what it's like to work there or for Tim Kring and Co. I received a phone call before I even knew that the deal was done from Tim and a few of his partners in crime and — I should probably keep this confidential but — it might've been the nicest phone call I've ever gotten. I think there was almost a point where I fell out of my chair.
How many episodes are you committed for?
Bell: I think I'm doing 13 as of now.
Is it possible that could be extended?
Bell: I don't know. Technically, I'm on for the first half of the season, but who knows?
Would you be open to sticking around longer?
Bell: I think I might be. I'm kind of excited to go into this family, because doing a new show always feels a little like switching schools; it's exciting but it's also really nerve-racking. But this feels like I'm transferring to a school that all of my friends already go to.
Will this interfere in any way with your voice-over duties on Gossip Girl?
Bell: They are both willing to work around each other, so I'll be very busy this fall.
Anything you can tell me about your character Elle that wasn't in the press release? [We know that Elle has ties to the supposed death of Peter, H.R.G.'s past and Claire's future.]
Bell: I know a lot. I think I know everything. But I think the only things that are allowed to be [out there] are what was in the press release. It's going to be a really, really fun character — that much I can tell you.
There's buzz that you might be the show's new baddie since Zachary will be taking off to do Star Trek.
Bell: That is a possibility. It's going to be fun for me to see where she goes. I kind of hope so. It would be really nice to play the bad guy.
Do you have a power?
Bell: Yeah, I do. I have a really awesome power.
