Friday Night Lights, the emotionally stirring story of a West Texas football team, is getting a reboot from Universal Television, Variety reported earlier this month.
The original TV series ran from 2006 to 2011, winning three Emmys over five seasons. It was loosely based on Buzz Bissinger’s 1990 book that captured the socio-political climate of Odessa through the lens of a beloved high school football team: the Permian Panthers. The book was also adapted in a 2004 film starring Billy Bob Thornton as coach Gary Gaines.
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The TV show popularized the motivational phrase — “clear eyes, full hearts, can’t lose” — uttered by coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler). Connie Britton and Dallas native Jesse Plemons were co-stars in the series.
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Showrunner Jason Katims is set to return for the new version, according to Variety. The upcoming project, which is still in the early stages, will focus on a new set of characters in the world of high school football.
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In a 2021 interview with Entertainment Tonight, Britton said a reboot, particularly with the original cast members, seemed unlikely.
“We’ve already had a movie, we’ve already had this TV show, and then if they were to do it again with like a whole different iteration of it, I don’t know. I would think that would be sort of odd.”
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Taylor Kitsch, who played football star Tim Riggins in the TV series, told Variety in 2022 he would not appear in any revival.
“You may see it, but I will not be a part of it,” he said. “I’m done. I’m good. I want to keep growing as an actor. Going back to Rigs — let him live in everyone else’s memories. Whatever that is, whatever he means to them, let him lay there.”