(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Hayden Panettiere is happy to leave Heroes behind.

The 21-year-old is best known for her role in the US television series, which ran from 2006 to 2010. Hayden portrayed a high school cheerleader in the supernatural show, with extreme powers of recovery. She readily admits her four year stint laid crucial foundations for her future career as an actress, but is glad to embark on new projects now.

"I was 16 when Heroes started, so I grew up on that show. It was my family, and I spent a good chunk of my life there. Those years [between 16 and 20] are the ones where you really change as a person and come into your own, she told USA Today.

Despite gaining recognition for her role, Hayden believes the time has come for her to try new experiences. Her next assignment is controversial, as she plays convicted murderer Amanda Knox, in a made for television movie. Amanda Knox: Murder on Trial in Italy, will premiere in the US this week, and Hayden found the role challenging.

"It's not that I look down on it. When you can play younger longer, that's a good thing. But having been on a show for four years where I played a high school girl who had this cheerleader, all-American image, as an actor it was so exciting to play something different. For now I'm happy to spread my wings as wide as I can," she said.

In the film, Haydens character wears handcuffs for a significant amount of time. The actress did not find those scenes particularly scary, but admits certain movie parts have caused anxiety in the past.

"Having been on Heroes and having died in as many ways as humanly possible, handcuffs are not very strange to wear. And anyway, you can get yourself out of them pretty easily, she said.

"When I was in Italy filming Amanda Knox, my best friend was with me and we watched some horror movie. I was very well-behaved in my bed until 3 o'clock in the morning. Then I tiptoed into her room and asked, 'Can I sleep with you?' I love scaring myself, but... (C) Cover Media