NBC has considerably beefed up the cast of "Heroes," adding six actors -- notably former "Alias" co-star David Anders and Michael Mann regular Barry Shabaka Henley -- in recurring parts for next season.

Lyndsy Fonseca, Dianna Agron, Holt McCallany and Japanese singer-actress Eriko Tamura have also signed on to the show, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "Heroes" had previously added Dania Ramirez as a regular and Nick D'Agosto in a recurring role.

It's Anders, though, who's likely to get the most scrutiny, both for his resume as the slippery Mr. Sark on "Alias" and the character he'll be playing: the legendary samurai Takezo Kensei, whose sword Hiro (Masi Oka) spent much of last season trying to obtain. The casting of Anders in the role suggests there's more to the character's back story than what's been revealed so far.

In addition to "Alias," Anders has guested on "CSI," "Deadwood" and "Grey's Anatomy."

Henley ("Miami Vice," "Collateral," "Close to Home") is set to play a New York City detective on the show, meaning he's likely to come into contact with the Petrelli family and the possibly-not-dead Sylar (Zachary Quinto).

Fonseca, Future Ted's daughter on "How I Met Your Mother," and Agron ("Veronica Mars"), will both play cheerleaders in Southern California, where Claire (Hayden Panettiere) has taken up residence. McCallany ("Three Kings," "CSI: Miami") will play an Irish gangster and Tamura a Japanese princess.

"Heroes" began shooting its second season this week -- earlier than most shows, since NBC wants to air its 24 episodes with minimal reruns.