Nichelle Nichols has been so busy the past couple of years, she said she had no idea what show she was auditioning for that led to a recurring role on the NBC hit series "Heroes.” Nor did she know former cast mate George Takei (Sulu on " Star Trek ”) had guest-starred on the show. Then it took some trekkers to tell her she had landed the part.

Nichols, who played communications officer Lt. Uhura on the origin...