The Heroes actress Hayden Panettiere looked overexcited when she was introduced to a wolf cub at the premiere of her animated children’s film Alpha and Omega in London today.

She cuddled and cooed over the adorable animal, who stole the limelight as it nestled in the starlet's arms.

Adorable: Hayden Panettiere looks thrilled to meet a baby wolf at the premiere of her animated film Alpha and Omega at the BFI Southbank in London

Hayden wore a loose silver top over grey skinny jeans and nude Christian Louboutin pumps for the event, held at the BFI Southbank.

She also posed with an adult wolf inside but didn't look quite as enamoured with the grown up version.

Hayden had earlier stopped by the BBC Radio 1 studios to chat with morning host Edith Bowman, where she dished on fame, the Heroes series and watching her Ukrainian boxer boyfriend Wladimir Klitschko's fights.

Nice to meet you: The actress voices a wolf in the children's film about a love story between childhood friends who have known each other since cubhood

The couple recently enjoyed a European summer holiday, sailing in Croatia and joining in Oktoberfest festivities in Munich, Germany.

Alpha and Omega, which opens in the UK on October 22, is about two young wolves, Kate and Humphrey, who have known each other since 'cubhood' but are at different ends of the pack social order.

Hayden voices Kate, who as the Alpha of the pack must go through with an arranged marriage, breaking the heart of her best friend (voiced by Justin Long), who is hopelessly in love with her.

Alpha: Hayden also met an adult wolf at the première. One critic called the coming-of-age story 'more Blue Lagoon than Bambi'

The film also stars the voices of Christina Ricci and the late Dennis Hopper.

Alpha and Omega has raised a few eyebrows for the 'sexual tension' between the animated characters, with one critic calling it 'more Blue Lagoon than Bambi'.

Killer thriller: She will take on a more grown up role next, portraying convicted murderer Amanda Knox (pictured) in a TV movie

The 21-year-old will have the opportunity for more grown up roles, as she has just signed on to portray convicted murderer Amanda Knox, who was jailed for 26 years for the 2007 killing of British student Meredith Kercher in Italy.

The made-for-television film, called The Amanda Knox Story, has yet to start shooting but Miss Kercher's family have already released a statement criticising its production.

The family's lawyer Francesco Maresca says: ‘It is inopportune as the trial is still on going with two further appeals.’

Miss Kercher’s mother Arline said it was insulting for the film to be named after her daughter’s killer.

She said: ‘I don’t see how they can make a film called The Amanda Knox Story when the story is really all about my daughter. It’s all very odd.’

The film is aimed at a US audience who have been captivated by the 'Foxy Knoxy' saga, and will focus on events leading up to Miss Kercher’s death in November 2007 and the subsequent lengthy trial of Knox.

Hayden has just completed filming Scream 4, the next installment in the hugely successful horror franchise.

She stars alongside a new generation cast including Emma Roberts, Rory Culkin and Adam Brody, as well as original cast members Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox and David Arquette.