Devoted fans of “Friday Night Lights” are still hoping that Texas can actually be forever.
Executive producer Peter Berg was on Bill Simmons’ (one of those devoted fans) The Ringer podcast last week and discussed the possibility of doing a four-episode comeback on Netflix, similar to what “Gilmore Girls” did last year. But there’s one problem: Some of the actors have advanced too far in their acting careers to take a step back for “FNL.”
“It’s very unlikely,” Berg said. “I can’t get anyone on the phone. They won’t return my calls.”
So, here’s a look at what the actors have accomplished in their careers, and the likelihood of them being willing to come back for one more run under the lights.
Put me in, coach
Louanne Stephens – Lorraine Saracen
Recent roles: Cowgirls ‘n Angels, Longmire
First off, I find it very insulting that she is mostly referenced on the internet as “Saracen’s grandma.” She has a name, dammit. That being said, and despite a recurring role in A&E’s “Longmire,” I’d fully expect Stephens to be interested in a chance to reprise her most famous role. Also, if anyone can explain to me what the hell that video above is, I would greatly appreciate it.
Derek Phillips – Billy Riggins
Recent roles: Castle, Parenthood, 42, Longmire
There’s room for more than one “FNL” relative on “Longmire,” apparently. Phillips has had a handful of minor roles since “FNL” ended in 2011, but nothing quite like Billy Riggins, Tim’s well-intentioned loser of a brother. How about a prequel about Billy’s time at Dillon High? Who says no?
Scott Porter – Jason Street
Recent roles: The Good Wife, X-Men (TV series), Heart of Dixie, Scorpion
If only Street didn’t suffer a horrific injury in the series premiere, perhaps there would have been a much bigger role for him in the show and in future roles. Instead, he seems to have found a niche in comic book movies after he left the show after Season 3, following his big break as a sports agent in New York. (He did surface briefly in Season 5 to offer Coach Taylor a new college job.) I can picture Street returning to Texas, embroiled in scandal after having illegal contact with Dillon High’s next big star … or East Dillon’s.
Minka Kelly – Lyla Garrity
Recent roles: The Roommate, Just Go with It, Parenthood, Charlie’s Angels, Lee Daniels’ The Butler
Kelly’s star is on the way down, but Derek Jeter’s ex is still considered a big name. It might be tricky to get her back with a role she would be worried about getting pigeon-holed into again. What would Garrity be up to in the show? She always seemed— or at least thought — she was too good for Dillon. Is she really coming back after graduating from Vanderbilt? I feel like they’d have to kill Buddy off to make it realistic, and that’s just not going to happen.
Let me check my playbook
Zach Gilford – Matt Saracen
Recent roles: The Mob Doctor, The Purge: Anarchy, Crazy Kind of Love, The Family
Always in someone’s shadow, eh, Zach? Gilford has had a successful, yet unspectacular post-“FNL” career, at least compared with some of the show’s other major characters. Not sure how a professional artist would fit into a reboot, but I am sure Gilford and Berg would figure something out.
Gaius Charles – Brian “Smash” Williams
Recent roles: Salt, Grey’s Anatomy, Aquarius, Taken
Last seen, Williams was on his way to becoming an NFL star. The actor who played him has never quite reached that potential, but has had a very successful television career with “Grey’s” being his most noteworthy role, outside of Smash. The now wise pro seems perfect to return to teach life lessons to Dillon’s new troubled star.
Brad Leland – Buddy Garrity
Recent roles: Justified, Veep, Deepwater Horizon
Let’s stop playing games: There is no “FNL” reboot without Leland. Just like there was no movie without Leland and no show without him. In my head, I imagine the actor just hanging out on football fields waiting for this phone call, even though he continues to bring in steady roles.
Adrianne Palicki – Tyra Collette
Recent roles: G.I. Joe: Retaliation, John Wick, About A Boy, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Palicki’s put together an impressive resume, but just not impressive enough that I see her turning down a chance to play Collette again. And we need Tyra, we need drama. Though can we have Tyra without Tim Riggins, given how the show ended?
If the price is right
Aimee Teegarden – Julie Taylor
Recent roles: Scream 4, Prom, Notorious, Rings
“I think I could get Aimee Teegarden, let me start with her,” Berg told Simmons.
All right, now we’re talking. We’ve got a plan. Teegarden has starred in plenty of horror movies, horror movie sequels to be exact, since “FNL.” But I sense she’d be open to a return after Julie’s graduation from college. Texas’ first fictional female high school football coach? Who could forget her scoring the winning touchdown in the Powder-puff game?
Connie Britton – Tami Taylor
Recent roles: American Horror Story, This is Where I Leave You, Nashville, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World
She went from starring in an ensemble show to co-starring in “Nashville,” alongside Hayden Panettiere, with a couple of nice movie roles thrown in. Berg indicated it would be difficult to get Britton to come back, which is a mild upset to me. “Nashville” has gone from ABC to cable’s CMT, and you would imagine she would have the latitude to go back for “FNL.”
They’ve gone pro
Taylor Kitsch – Tim Riggins
Recent roles: John Carter, Battleship, Lone Survivor, True Detective (four movies currently in works)
This is where it gets tough. You need Riggins for the show, and he is going to be near impossible to get. He has not quite reached the mega-star potential some believed he’d reach, but he is still getting significant roles in big-budget films. “Texas Forever”? We shall see.
Jesse Plemons – Landry Clarke
Recent roles: Battleship, Breaking Bad, Black Mass, Bridge of Spies, Fargo
“I can’t get Jesse Plemmons on the phone,” Berg said.
I am equal parts excited and saddened by this statement. I would not have bet on Plemons to be the one to become the breakout star from “FNL,” yet here we are. The good news for fans of the show is you don’t need Plemons’ character for the reboot. It would have been great, but the show can live on without him.
Kyle Chandler – Coach Taylor
Recent roles: Argo, Wolf of Wall Street, Manchester by the Sea, Bloodline
“Coach Taylor is killing it,” Berg said.
Yes, yes he is. New star of a new show plus a nice feature-film resume. I want to believe he would come back after the show shot him to stardom and had everyone asking the same question: “Is that the same guy from “Office Space”? (That would be Ron Livingston, not Kyle Chandler). We do not have to guess what Taylor’s role would be: Berg outlined the premise for the reboot, saying Coach would be in some sort of rules trouble.
Michael B. Jordan – Vince Howard
Recent roles: Fruitvale Station, That Awkward Moment, Fantastic Four, Creed, City of Sin
This just isn’t happening. Jordan’s career is going nowhere but up at the moment, and that won’t be changing any time in the near future.