Spoilers | Friday Night Lights Fan

Season 4 begins May 7th on NBC

Season 5 Episodes are being labelled as a continuation of Season 4

Season 4/Season 5 Episodic Spoilers – these are the unaired eps

Season 4/Season 5 General Spoilers

Julie goes to Burleson University
Grey Damon, who has appeared as a guest star on the new 90210, and Greek has just been cast as new season 5 series regular Hastings Ruckle. Source
[HASTINGS RUCKLE] 18 year old to play 17, Caucasian, he is a SUPER, SUPER HOT GUY , laid back and cool, who is sexy because he really doesn’t try to be. He is a new student at East Dillon High School, a basketball player, tall and athletic – MUST BE OVER 6 FEET TALL WITH A STRONG ATHLETIC BUILD – and someone we will see slam dunk a basketball. There is a bit of a dark, hippie, party-guy vibe with him. Kids (especially girls) gravitate to him because he seems not to care too much. His parents are wildcatters who move around constantly, so Hastings has learned never to lay down any roots — the result being that he tends not to get too close to people for fear of having to leave them. He ends up joining the football team as a wide receiver, and though he has the raw gifts of hands, size, and speed, he must learn to play a new game which he doesn’t really get or care that much about at first. But ultimately, he emerges as a key player on the team, and invests in friendships and a community he comes to love. SERIES REGULAR.
Matt Lauria “Luke” is confirmed for the whole season.
Now, say hello to Emily Rios. She played the character of Maria on Men of a Certain Age this year, and appeared on a 2008 episode of House. She’ll star onFNL for at least six episodes as Epyck, a rebellious, goth student. Source
Epyck Sanders is a troubled young “white trash” girl who will supposedly be sporting some pink cornrows
Friday Night Lights has recruited Lynn Blackburn for a recurring role in its fifth and final season, TVGuide.com has confirmed. As first reported by TVGuide.com, a younger, no-nonsense teacher will befriend East Dillon High’s newest faculty member, Tami Taylor (Connie Britton). Blackburn’s character, Laurel, will help Mrs. Taylor learn to approach the students differently. Source
Landry and Julie will have graduated by the start of season 5, and will be in the season until their characters get a nice send-off. Source: EW.com
Taylor Kitsch will not be a series regular in season 5.
According to the New York Post we will see Minka Kelly “sporadically in the first few episodes before departing Dillon for good.” **It’s unclear whether this was in reference to season 4 or 5. It looks like it may be season 4 information.

Maura

Maura is a student at East Dillon, and she is in at least 4 episodes of the 5th season.
Maura seems to be a garden variety “rally girl”…the kind Tim Riggins used to really enjoy, if ya know what I mean.
She goes after Vince but he turns her down because he’s with Jess.
After getting turned down by Vince she goes after Luke who is still going after Becky…who knows how that’ll turn out!

Luke, Tinker, Vince, Becky

Luke is a senior in season 5 and is being heavily recruited by TMU. His new nickname from the Lions is “TM Luke”. Midway through the season he makes a verbal commitment to go there.
Vince is a junior in season 5, and is secretly and illegally being recruited by TMU. He confesses to Coach Taylor that it seems Luke is being recruited so that they can guarantee themselves to get Vince the following year. Coach Taylor says that he’ll help him with the situation.
Tinker gets Becky as a rally girl much to Luke’s chagrin. Luke convinces Tinker to let him have Becky as his rally girl in trade for a pig off of Luke’s farm.

Jess/Vince

As we reported before Jess becomes the equipment manager for the Lions. This puts some unexpected pressure on her relationship with Vince because she’s constantly at team-related things. The guys start giving her a hard time in the locker rooms, and Vince doesn’t know how to balance having his girlfriend around his teammates.
The bad dude that Vince owes money to reappears in season 5, and Vince’s financial debts get paid from an unexpected source (we’re still trying to find out how it all goes down!)
We meet Vince’s dad in season 5. He’s going to show up mid-season and start attending football games. We’re trying to find out who has been cast in this role.

Landry/Julie

After episode 5.01 Landry departs for Rice University. We won’t see him again until towards the end of the season.
Julie has an affair with her recently separated history professor. This relationship ends about 5 or 6 episodes into the season and she ends up leaving Burleson University and moving back home (it’s unclear whether she remains a student but just moves off campus…we’ll keep you posted).
Landry continues to pursue his music with Crucifictorious and we see him and Devin perform at a bar in episode 5.01. Julie attends the concert.

Becky/Riggins

Becky’s mother is going to skip town, and her truck driving father will return.
Becky dislikes her new stepmother and finds herself seeking a new place to stay.
Becky ends up staying with Billy and Mindy and becomes interested in Mindy’s occupation…

Season 4 Episodic Spoilers – these have aired on DirecTV and will be aired on NBC 5/7

General Season 4 Spoilers as of 1/16/10

Billy and Mindy have a baby boy in the season 4 finale.

From TWOP:
I didn’t say no more Becky, just no more Becky in Tim’s story. There is plenty more Becky and she and Tim do hang out a little more. But he is not involved in the Becky pregnancy and she is not involved in the chop shop.

As far as Tim being out of jail by the finale, the question should be is Tim in jail yet in the finale. He only gets arrested in the next to last episode.

Luke does a stupid and dangerous thing trying to hide his injury. He also has a Baby Daddy issue.
From TWOP:
Tim’s arrest is for the chop shop and has nothing to do with Becky. He is out of Becky’s story after he takes her to Tami for advice. Luke is the father and takes responsibility. Tami doesn’t tell Becky to have an abortion, but she puts it out there as a strong option. Luke’s Mom gets mad about that and tries to get Tami fired.

Tim says no to Billy at first in the next episode. Then he changes his mind when he can’t get a job to get money for his land legitimately. So he’s fully in on the chop shop operation for the rest of the season. He even uses the money from it to get his land.

Tim gets arrested in the same episode where the baby is born, I think the next to last one. He tries to take all the blame so Billy can be around to raise his kid.

Julie meets a new guy. They kiss and she has him over to dinner before Matt finally calls her in one of the last episodes. He gets a job in Chicago so he’s staying. Matt is back for Thanksgiving in the final show of the season, but he leaves for good after that.
Glenn kisses Tami about episode 7
Tami gets kissed. She doesn’t like it, but she does. Source
Vince’s father is in prison
Riggins has a one-night stand with Becky’s mother
Riggins lives in a trailer behind Becky’s house
Lyla is in 2 episodes, presumably coming back for Matt’s family death
Two characters visit a gay bar in the first 5 episodes.
Tyra will return for one episode in the second half of the season episode 8ish
JD has turned into a doucebag
Colton Walsh plays a tightend on the Panthers. He’s #91.
Julie and Devin are best friends (src)
It’s discovered that Luke lied about where he lives. (src)
East Dillon’s colors will be Black and Red, they are the Lions.
There will be Hispanic twin brothers on the East Dillon team.
Vince will be on the verge of heading to prison but is saved by the new “Cops For Jocks” program. He will play QB.
Riggins will have quit college and be working on cars (presumably at Riggins’ Rigs)
Along with delivering pizza, Matt will be working on his art at a local community college, waiting for Julie to finally finish high school.

Even the new character, Luke (QB) is a cocky mofo, Fans are going hate him. Reading more as we along. FNL season 4!about 1 hour ago
Taylor kitsch, Aka Riggins, will play the same vulnerable character this season. The write-up is so good. reading more!about 1 hour ago
Adrianne says Tyra may be back in October to film some Season 4 scenes and may be back for Season 5. Source
Landry gets in a fight with another football player
Landry is at East Dillon
Coach Spivey is at West Dillon
Matt struggles with his choice to remain in Dillon before leaving later this season
Tami gets entangled in a ‘major controversy that could cost her her career
Landry will be in a love triangle with Vince and Jess
Joe has basically replaced Buddy at West Dillon
Joe and JD will be featured heavily Season 4
Joe and Tami will butt heads about Luke
Zach says Matt will be delivering pizza
Wade Aikman and Joe McCoy are Dillon High coaches
Jess will be an integral part of the football team
Luke will be at odds with Vince
Coach Taylor is the Coach of the East Dillon Lions and finds himself faced with the daunting task of building a football team from scratch as well as motivating and disciplining the unmanageable East Dillon Lions players
Tami is still principal of Dillon High and bears the brunt of criticism from very unhappy parents and students who have been zoned out of West Dillon and into less desirable East Dillon.
Jurnee Smollett has been cast as Jess who is described as “the daughter of a onetime NFL hopeful who knows the game and helps raise her siblings with the help of her father,”
Michael B. Jordan has been cast as Vince, East Dillon’s resident troublemaker. Although charming at times, the junior running back can be dangerous and menacing—a result of his crime-riddled upbringing. He quickly finds himself at odds with the team’s new pretty boy Luke
Riggins sleeps with Becky’s mother
Becky (Madison Burge) seduces Riggins, things heat up mid-season
Matt Lauria has been cast as Luke, a charming yet cocky junior who reluctantly finds himself playing for Coach Taylor’s East Dillon squad.
“I’m pretty sure in the next two seasons there’s a very strong possibility that Tami will have an affair with a student.” – Connie
Luke, Vince, Becky and Jess
Season 4 will be filmed Sept-Dec
Season 5 will be filmed Jan-Apr
Minka Kelly (Lyla) to make 2 ep return halfway through the season
Kim Dickens (Shelby) will be back for two episodes
Zach Gilford (Matt) is back for 7 episodes
Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Jesse Plemons, Taylor Kitsch, Aimee Teegarden, Jeremy Sumpter are back for Season 4
Season 4 confirmed 3/24

Sources/Details:

Added 10/28

Director: Chistopher Misano
Writer: Patrick Massett & John Zinman

Filming is from 5th to 20th Novemeber

[RYAN] Male, early to mid 20s, Caucasian, intelligent, good looking, inspirational guy that works for Habitat for Humanity. GUEST STAR, 2 EPISODE ARC

Source: SpoilerTV

Added 10/22

Question: What Friday Night Lights goodies did you bring us back from Austin? —Jason

Ausiello: Okay, here’s some real scoop: Adrianne Palicki’s returning! She’s scheduled to shoot her one and only season 4 episode later this month. Also, two FNL characters will frequent a gay bar within the first five episodes.

Question: Last week you mentioned that one of the core characters on Friday Night Lights turned into a douche over the summer. Please tell me it’s not Matt — he’s my favorite! —Lizzy

Ausiello: It’s not Matt. But you’re close. Hint: The douche’s name starts with J and ends with D. (And just to be clear, I’m referring to the character and not the actor portraying him. It’s a very important distinction.)

Added 9/22

Alethea in Minn.: I’m trying to be patient for the Friday Night Lights premiere in October, but it’s eating me up inside! Give me any tidbits you have.

Trust us, we feel your pain. Our TiVos have gone too long without any love from Mr. and Mrs. Coach. When we caught up with Connie Britton (Tami Taylor), she gave us insight on how our favorite TV relationship stays strong. “We really like to crack jokes. I think it’s really funny when I get the best of him, but I think it’s funnier when he gets the best of me,” Connie said about working with TV hubby Kyle Chandler. “I think something that’s made it work is that we have shared views on how we work that marriage. We really wanted it to have a strong foundation that we could shake up as much as we wanted. We both felt really strongly that we didn’t want someone to have an affair. We didn’t want it to go into cheesy world like that. Not that that doesn’t happen in real life, but we wanted to keep it more innocent and simple. I think it’s something people can really relate to.” Awww. Aren’t they the sweetest? P.S. We’re working on getting some more FNL dish for you guys soon, so if you have specific Q’s, please hit up tvdiva@eonline.com. Thank you!

via Spoiler Chat: House Star Jesse Spencer Spills About His Character’s “Dodgy Doctoring” – E! Online.

Added 9/18

After shining as an extra in “Grunt! The Wrestling Movie,” 20 years later Mike Leach is back acting, taping a speaking part for FNL Friday. (via @BFeldmanESPN)

Added 9/15

Ernest has been cast in a recurring role on the football team with Landry.

“Season 4 features a Dillon divided, as Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) tackles the jo at the reopened East Dillon. ‘It’s turned from him being in a suituation where there was so much expectation, to the opposite situation, where there is none,’ says exec producer Jason Katims. Among East Dillon’s new faces: Vince (Michael B. Jordan), a troubled star athlete who clashes with unhappy West Dillon transfer Luke (Matt Lauria), and the Lolita-esque Becky (Madison Burge), who befriends Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) after he beds her mom. Meanwhile, Tami (Connie Britton) gets entangled in what Katims calls a ‘major controversy that could cost her her career,’ and Saracen (Zach Gilford) struggles with his choice to remain in Dillon before leaving later this season. (Oct. 28)

SOURCE: September 18th 2009 issue of Entertainment Weekly

Added 9/14

Sharon in Baltimore: I know it’s still way off, but anything going on with Friday Night Lights?
Yes! The little town of Dillon is officially back Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 9 p.m. and tensions will definitely be high. Coach Taylor (Kyle Chandler) is attempting to build a team from the ground up at his new school, East Dillon, while Tami (Connie Britton) has kept her job as principal of West Dillon. Says show runner Jason Katims, “This season opener is practically a pilot in itself. It puts Coach Taylor at the center of the action in a new school, with a new team and many new challenges.”
Source: WWK 9/14

Question: OK, you did it. I tried to resist but I finally gave in and watched all three seasons of Friday Night Lights. And I am absolutely hooked! Definitely in my Top 5 all-time favorite shows. Thanks, Mike. Any news on season 4 story lines? —Daisy
Ausiello: Producers are talking to Minka Kelly about making a two-episode return as Lyla halfway through the season. Coincidentally, that’s right around the time things start heating up between Riggins and Dillon’s resident Lolita, Becky (played by newcomer Madison Burge). Isn’t that conveeeeenient.
Source: Ask Ausiello 9/2/09

Question: Any word from your Friday Night Lights mole whether Kim Dickens will be back for any of Zach Gilford’s final seven episodes? She killed as Shelby last season and it’d be nice to see more Matt-and-mom bonding moments. —Mike
Ausiello: I’m told Kim will be back for at least two episodes. And I couldn’t agree more: Kim brought her A game to FNL last season.
Source: Ask Ausiello 8/26/09

Casting: [JULIO GARCIA] OVERWEIGHT ACTORS ONLY, BUILT LIKE A TANK. 18 year old to play 16, Latino. The older of the squabbling Garcia brothers, Julio somehow makes his considerable weight into a virtue, “owning it,” as they say…RECURRING GUEST STAR Source

Zach Gilford has scored more playing time on Friday Night Lights. Sources confirm to me exclusively that the actor’s season 4 farewell arc as Matt has been expanded from five to seven episodes.

According to my Panthers mole, Gilford’s run will likely fall during the first half of FNL’s 13-episode fourth season, which premieres on DirecTV Oct. 28 with an episode directed by series creator Peter Berg.

Source

Casey in Palm Springs, Calif.: I know they don’t start shooting Friday Night Lights until September, but have you heard anything else about the new season? I’m obsessed!
So are we. Check out our juicy tidbits about FNL from last week’s Spoiler Chat. If that doesn’t satisfy your cravings, read on. We spoke exclusively with Aimee Teegarden (Julie Taylor), and she shared her vision for season four: “I really hope there’s a dance this season, because we’ve never actually had a real prom! I want a corsage. I want a dress. I want the family pictures. I want the whole shebang.” Who would be Julie’s date? “Matt Saracen could take me. They could still go to prom together, right? I would have to ask him though. I think that’s how it works when your date is not in high school.” We asked her if she had much creative input on what happens in the show. “Sometimes I talk to [executive producer] Jason Katims, and say, ‘Julie needs to do this.’ And then it’ll be written in. It’s really funny,” Aimee said. Excellent, we would love to see Matt and Julie break it down on the dance floor!

WWK 8/17

FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS CASTS MICHAEL B. JORDAN.

No, not hoops legend Michael Jordan. Up-and-coming actor Michael B. Jordan!

The alum of All My Children and The Wire is joining Friday Night Lights as Vince, East Dillon’s resident troublemaker. Although charming at times, the junior running back can be dangerous and menacing—a result of his crime-riddled upbringing. He quickly finds himself at odds with the team’s new pretty boy Luke (played by the just-cast Matt Lauria).

Like Lauria, Jordan is a series regular.
Source: Ask Ausiello 8/17/09

Lipstick Jungle’s Matt Lauria—he played Lindsay Price’s gay assistant on the late NBC soap—is joining the season 4 cast in the series regular role of Luke, a charming yet cocky junior who reluctantly finds himself playing for Coach Taylor’s East Dillon squad.

Luke is one of four new characters being introduced to help fill the void left by Adrianne Palicki, Minka Kelly, and Zach Gilford (who’ll now be returning for seven episodes.)

Source

Added 8/10

Carinna T. in Los Angeles: I miss Friday Night Lights! Have you heard how they are going to wrap up the storylines of all the kids who graduated high school and are now going to college?
Not even the actors know the answer to that question! When we caught up with FNL star Jesse Plemons (Landry Clarke) last week, he told us they don’t start shooting the new season until the beginning of September. Until then, all we can do is speculate. “They kind of left everything up in the air at the end,” said Plemons. “I think Tyra’s not going to be there the first season, but she might be there the second.” He joked, “Maybe we’ll be texting back and forth, or I’ll get an email from Tyra.”

Mitchell in Albuquerque, N.M.: Any news on Friday Night Lights? Preferably about Matt and Julie, please!
Aimee Teegarden tells us she has high hopes for Matt Saracen (Zach Gilford) and Julie in season four of Friday Night Lights: “I do [want to see them together]. I think there’s something special and sweet about Julie and Matt’s relationship that it has to stay together, or else I feel like we’ll have a lot of upset fans. Hopefully Matt breaks up with Julie though, so fans can’t blame me.” (P.S. Don’t miss our scoop about Aimee’s upcoming guest gig on Legend of the Seeker.)

EOnline 8/10

Sophie in Hollywood, Calif.: What’s Riggins up to next season on Friday Night Lights?
When we suggested Riggins (Taylor Kitsch) become an assistant coach for East Dillon’s new ragtag football team, Friday Night Lights‘ Connie Britton replied: “That’s not a bad idea. They tried to do that with Scott Porter’s character so it would be funny if it was Riggins.” What say you? Should 33 help coach the newbies? BTW, rumor has it that Riggins does not stay faithful to Lyla while she’s away at college. Are you shocked? We’re not.

WWK 7/13

Vince: A charming yet dangerous East Dillon junior. He’s African-American and, when we first meet him, he’s running from the cops. Look for Coach Taylor to put his speed to better use as a member of the Lions. Series regular.

Luke: Vince’s classmate and arch nemesis. He’s Caucasian, cocky, and charming. Reminds some of a young Paul Newman. Dillon’s new geographical breakdown has him playing for the Lions, and he’s not happy about it. Series regular.

Wait, there’s two more after the jump!

Jess: The super-energetic daughter of a onetime NFL hopeful, she knows the game inside and out. When she’s not busy coaching her younger brothers, this sophomore/junior is getting crushed on by every guy in Dillon, East and West. Series regular.

Becky: A freshman beauty queen whose family is purebred trailer trash. Think Blair Waldorf with lousy genes. She finds Riggins in bed with her mother and reacts by trying to seduce him herself. My new favorite character is listed as recurring.

Source

Q: Any word on what the potential season four of

Friday Night Lights will bring?

A: As a matter of fact, we were just able to get some great insights into next season from some of the amazing

Friday Night Lights cast members themselves! Kyle Chandler tells us that his transfer across town may open up some new doors for the people of Dillon.

“Coach Taylor has been moved into the poor part of town, and we have no pool to draw from for a football team. I think it opens up [the show] to be far more representative, having more Hispanics in the show, blacks in the show. And then also just being the underdogs going up against my old school where my wife is still principal,” he said.

Any chance Tami Taylor will follow Coach to the wrong side of the tracks? Connie Britton has her theories on that potential story line: “I think it would be interesting if she did, but it may be too difficult to depict in the show. It could also be interesting if I also go over there and we’re both struggling at this school that is just falling apart.”

Mind you none of this is set in stone, as Connie is quick to point out, “We generally leave that stuff to the writers because their ideas are going to be 10 times better than anything I’d have an idea for!” Well, no arguments there! We just hope we get to watch

Added 6/8

James in Teaneck, N.J.: I know The Body Politic hasn’t been picked up, but does that mean Minka Kelly is still leaving Friday Night Lights?
We’re sorry to tell you, but Lyla Garrity is not returning to Dylan, Texas. Minka tells us, “I actually will probably be moving on. I think it would make sense story-wise that I graduate from high school and move on to college. I think I’ll be moving away.”

Eonline 6/8

Added 5/11

Denise in Poway, Calif.: I know it’s still early, but do you know anything about the next season of Friday Night Lights yet?
Even though it looks like Riggins is headed to San Antonio State next year, Taylor Kitsch is willing to stick around Dillon. Taylor tells us, “With FNL, it’s been an incredible journey and a springboard for me, and I will never say no to them. As long as they’ll have Riggins back, I’ll be back.” Yee! And in the meantime, have you gone to see Taylor in X-Men Origins yet? Delish! Eonline 5/11

Q: If Friday Night Lights gets picked up for a fourth season (as has been rumored but is not official just yet) who among the cast will return?

A: The only locks are the core Taylors (Kyle Chandler, Connie Britton, Aimee Teegarden) and incoming senior Landry (Jesse Plemons).

Added 3/24

Touch-freaking-down!

Sources at NBC are now confirming what I first reported earlier this month: DirecTV and NBC have come to terms on a deal that ensures Friday Night Lights will stick around for not one but two more seasons!

And I repeat: Touch-freaking-down!

Although NBC declined to comment, my Peacock insider says the pact guarantees that FNL will see a fourth and fifth season of 13 episodes each. Similar to this season’s shared-window experiment, DirecTV will get first crack at the episodes followed by an encore run on NBC.

Let’s get a chant going in the comments section! And while you’re at it, pray that the show’s creative mastermind, Jason Katims, finds a way to juggle both FNL and that prospective Parenthood series he’s producing for NBC. Ditto director Jeffrey Reiner, who’s attached to NBC’s Trauma pilot. Losing one would be devastating; losing both would be a catastrophe. So how about we lose neither? You with me?

Source