When Friday Night Lights begins filming its new season, the show will welcome three new series regulars and one recurring actor.
While that may seem like a great thing for the future of the NBC show, it’s also a sad time for fans, who will be bidding adieu to several long-running characters.
As original cast members Adrianne Palicki (Tyra), Zach Gilford (Saracen) and Minka Kelly (Lyla) prepare to leave FNL, the show has a huge void to fill.
Right now, casting calls are underway for the following characters, reports EW.com:
- Vince, an African-American East Dillon junior who’s got a thing for trouble. The first time we see him, he’s running from the cops. Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) will likely want to use his speed for his new football team.
- Luke is Vince’s classmate and rival. He’s Caucasian, cocky and charming. Because of Dillon’s new geographical breakdown, he’ll be playing for the Lions and he doesn’t like it one bit.
- Jess is the daughter of a one-time NFL hopeful, and she knows the game inside and out. The popular student is admired by every guy at Dillon, but she’s too busy coaching her younger brothers to notice. Or care.
- Becky is a freshman beauty queen whose family is total trailer trash. Apparently, she finds Riggins in bed with her mother and sets out to try and seduce him herself.
Do any young actors — or actors who can play young — come to mind? I’m thinking Malcolm David Kelley (Lost) for Vince, Dustin Milligan (90210) or Zach Conroy (Guiding Light) for Luke, Paula Brancati (Degrassi: The Next Generation) is perfect for Jess (she already plays football-playing Jane on Degrassi), and Sara Paxton (Summerland) for Becky. Just my two cents, of course.
Who do you think would be perfect for FNL? denette@tvguide.ca
Video: Behind the scenes on the set of FNL