Warning: The following article contains a vital piece of information about tonight's new episode of Heroes.

Of course, there are few fans unaware that Nathan Petrelli is officially killed off the series tonight, as the storyline was leaked weeks ago.

Speaking to USA Today about the decision to axe one of the show's original character, creator Tim Kring said:

"On a show where you put characters in life-and-death situations with real stakes, characters have had to die... we were starting to run out of ways to keep [Nathan] around."

Note to Kring: The same reasoning applies to Tracy and Mohinder, two people that should have been removed from the series a very long time ago.

Referring to departing star Adrian Pasdar, Kring said he's a "loved member of the cast," and "has never been better" than in Nathan's final scene.

As for the actor himself, he recognizes it's time to go.

"Some deaths really need to stick," he said. "I'm happy to have had the opportunity to have this long of a run."

Are you sad to see Nathan go? Or should this have happened awhile ago? Sound off now in our Heroes forum!

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.