Hawaii Five-0 - George Takei (Heroes) is a fan of Alex O'Loughlin

Surprising he doesn't mention his Heroes co-star Masi Oka in this interview. Masi is now a recurring cast member on Five-0.

As told to Patrick Kingsley

I love watching the new Hawaii Five-0 show with my husband, Brad Altman. We travel a lot, so we tend to record two or three episodes and then have a Five-0 fest for a whole night. What I especially like is the way Alex O'Loughlin has developed the lead character, Detective Steve McGarrett.

I was a big fan of the original series from way back in the 70s, when it was first televised. In those days, McGarrett was played as a granite, stolid character. But O'Loughlin has added more dimensions. He has been in other series, but I've not seen them – and I think that's what makes his McGarrett much more interesting for me. I see it without the influence of other characters that he has created.

McGarrett is still the classic TV hero – courageous, strong, handsome and all that – but he is also tortured by his father's death, and has a sense of responsibility for his family; as a son, and as a sibling. And that makes him a more layered character. The connections that he has developed with the other lead characters – Scott Caan, Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Bark – have turned Hawaii Five-0 into a very interesting story. It's a totally changed show, certainly in terms of rhythm and colour. And while I loved it back then for what it was, I love it even more for what it is today. It's not just action and adventure any more, but an exploration of character and relationships as well. I love Hawaii, and the show lets me go there vicariously every week.

I appeared in the original Hawaii Five-O, and there's even the possibility of me appearing again. If that happens, I'm really looking forward to meeting Alex. I only know him as McGarrett, so I can't wait to meet Alex O'Loughlin, the actor behind the character. And I'll definitely tell him I'm a fan. Why would I not? I always enjoy it when someone comes up and says they're a fan of mine.

Source: The Guardian