One way to try and capture that coveted youth market is to make sure there are characters of the right age and personality that the demographic can relate to. Among the many things "Heroes" did right in its first season on NBC, getting the right youthful characters was definitely among them as many on the cast were younger than 30.

In that list were at least three actors who are under 22, thus making them eligible (and eventually nominated) for the SyFy Genre Awards Best Young Actor category.

Noah Gray-Cabey is one of the actors nominated, best known for playing the young Micah who can fix just about anything electronic by simply touching it. While most of the "Heroes" season focused on Ali Larter's split-personality character taking care of him, Micah ended up coming into his own by the season finale using his abilities to help stop Sylar (Zachary Quinto) from blowing up New York City.

One of the most famous faces from "Heroes" who even got a whole advertising campaign featuring her was Hayden Paniettere, the cheerleader, Claire Bennett, which if she was saved, the world was saved.

Panettiere had probably the biggest challenges as an actress, playing some very powerful roles opposite of recurring guest star Thomas Dekker, as her gay/not-so-gay sidekick Zach, who also got nominated. Dekker, who left the show before the end of the first season, appears to have a very promising future as he's set to star in the new Fox series "The Sarah Connor Chronicles" based on the Terminator films.

Also getting nominated Ivana Baquero, who gave audiences an amazing performance -- even if it is all in Spanish -- in one of my favorite films of last year, "Pan's Labyrinth." It's tough playing a young girl trapped in the 1940s war zone, trying to interact with monsters scary enough to make even the strong-stomached adults squirm.

And then what's a Young Actor category without everyone's favorite psychic, "The 4400's" Conchita Campbell, who continues to blow away the work of many of the other much older actors on the show (and don't get me wrong, they do pretty darn good themselves).

Speaking of "Heroes" (well, that is, if the young nominees are still fresh in your mind), the show did yet another killing in the Best Special Guest/Television category with three nominations, including two from the ninth Doctor, Christopher Eccleston.

Eccleston took on the invisible character of Claude, who was a tremendous departure from the funny, personable character he played on "Doctor Who." And the nominating committee definitely noticed just as much as the fans, which is probably why he is up for not just one episode, but two.

George Takei was meant to be more of a publicity casting because of his "Star Trek" connection, but his acting chops surprised not just viewers, but producers as well, who intend to bring him back in the second season as Hiro's father.

It seems like we can't have a Genre Awards anymore without Nathan Fillion -- best known for Fox's short-lived series "Firefly" as a nominee somewhere. Last year's winner for Best Actor/Television is back, this time for his one-episode stint on "Lost," playing a devoted husband in a flashback scene to Evangeline Lilly's Kate.

Finally, the Best Special Guest category is rounded out by none other than Richard Dean Anderson, who made a comical yet poignant appearance in the "Stargate SG-1" episode "200," celebrating the 200th episode of the series, which aired just after it was announced that the 10th season would be the show's last.

Who will fans take? Will they like Chistopher Eccleston? Could a split vote make Nathan Fillion or even George Takei a favorite? Or is this Richard Dean Anderson's to lose? We'll find out in a couple weeks.

Voting for the SyFy Genre Awards begins July 25. To see the full list of nominees -- including a video that introduces them -- simply click here.

Airlock Alpha will feature stories on all of the SyFy Genre Awards nominees leading up to the opening of the polls. Voters can cast their ballot once per day per e-mail address through Aug. 25.

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