Jesse Alexander and Jeph Loeb get axed

Major shakeup on the staff of NBC’s “Heroes” came down on Sunday with the firing of co-exec producers Jeph Loeb and Jesse Alexander.

Both scribe-producers had been with the show since its first season and have led the day-to-day production operation under the direction of Tim Kring.

It’s rumored that Alexander and Loeb were let go because of NBC execs’ frustration with the creative direction of the show. The show is said to have been grappling with hefty budget overruns this season, that are going well beyond its already sizable $4 million per-episode budget.

Sunday evening, CBR News spoke exclusively with Loeb who said, “As of today, Jesse Alexander and I have left ‘Heroes.’ I’m incredibly proud to have been a big part of the success a show with eight Emmy nods and a win this year for NBC.com. I will miss the superb cast and writing staff and wish everyone the best.”

Loeb has completed writing/producing the fall finale, the last episode of the “Villains” chapter titled “War.”