'Friday Night Lights': What Should the Cast Do Next?
By Dave Nemetz | Friday, February 18, 2011, 12:03 PM
The "FNL" cast is ready for their next move
NBC/Justin Stephens
Now that the series finale of "Friday Night Lights" has aired (and we've finally stopped sobbing), we're turning our attention to what projects the very talented "FNL" cast should tackle next. They're definitely hot commodities: Adrianne Palicki (Tyra) just landed the coveted lead role in David E. Kelley's upcoming "Wonder Woman" reboot, and we're already seeing cast members popping up elsewhere on primetime TV. Here, we play casting director and pick the perfect landing spots for the good people of Dillon.
Kyle Chandler (Coach Eric Taylor)
Whatever Chandler does next, it'll be a significant step down from his peerless work as the ever-paternal Coach Taylor. And we don't want to stick him in the obvious police-captain or drill-sergeant type of roles. How about the lead starship commander in the next "Star Trek" TV series? We'd be happy to zip around the universe one more time with that guy at the helm.
Connie Britton (Tami Taylor)
Mrs. Coach has already signed on with FX to star in a new drama from film director David O. Russell ("The Fighter"). But we don't want her going the Lauren Graham route and playing another Tami-esque supermom. We'd rather see her unleash that sex appeal of hers and play a shrewd businesswoman by day, boozy cougar by night. Better get used to those high heels, Connie.
Taylor Kitsch (Tim Riggins)
"FNL's" bad boy already has an enviable slate of film projects lined up (well, if you can call the film adaptation of the board game "Battleship" enviable). But if those films sink (sorry), we'd like to see Kitsch latch onto a "Desperate Housewives"-type primetime soap as the hunky new mechanic in town. The guy is grade-A man-candy; why not put that to good use?
[Related: See our list of the ten most emotional "Friday Night Lights" moments.]
Minka Kelly (Lyla Garrity)
The "Roommate" star (and future Mrs. Derek Jeter) has already been cast as one of the Angels in ABC's upcoming "Charlie's Angels" reboot -- and a role that doesn't require much more than holding a gun and looking gorgeous is the perfect fit for her. Good job, Minka's agents!
Zach Gilford (Matt Saracen)
Yes, we know Gilford is currently starring in ABC's "Off the Map," but we don't see the limp "Grey's"-in-the-jungle drama making the fall schedule. We'd rather see him use his brainy persona and pale complexion to play a Mark Zuckerberg-esque Internet billionaire in a cerebral cable drama -- like "Wall Street" for the Facebook generation. We'd click to "Like" that.
Aimee Teegarden (Julie Taylor)
Teegarden has already dipped her toes into the teen-soap world with a stint on The CW's "90210," but that kind of thing is too glossy (and dumb) for the Taylors' daughter. She definitely has an otherworldly quality about her… maybe she could join HBO's "True Blood" as one of Sookie's fairy brethren? She'd look great in a pair of wings.
[Video: Watch clips and full episodes of "Friday Night Lights" right here.]
Michael B. Jordan (Vince Howard)
Of all the new cast members that joined "FNL" in Season 4, we warmed up to Jordan the most, so we're really looking forward to seeing his next move. He's been recurring on NBC's "Parenthood" this season, but we think he deserves a lead role. We see him playing an arrogant young hip-hop star with a checkered past in a gritty drama about the perils of fame.
Jurnee Smollett (Jess Merriweather)
The talented Smollett landed a supporting role on CBS's fall legal drama "The Defenders," but that series is teetering on the brink of cancellation. She's obviously a bright girl; she could handle all the medical terminology as Seattle Grace's whip-smart new intern on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy."
Matt Lauria (Luke Cafferty)
He's already playing a cop on Fox's "The Chicago Code," but it's a little weird to see him go from high-school student to adult police officer so quickly. We think he could split the difference and play a frat guy with a heart of gold; it's a shame "Greek" is in its final season, but another college-set dramedy will take its place soon, we're sure.
[Photos: Check out more photos of the "Friday Night Lights" cast.]
Madison Burge (Becky Sproles)
Burge impressed us with her dramatic chops as she handled some of "FNL's" trickiest subplots. There's not much on TV that's similarly deep for a teen actress, but she could have fun as a bitchy transfer student on ABC Family's guilty-pleasure soap "Pretty Little Liars." She could even turn out to be the mysterious "A"!
Brad Leland (Buddy Garrity)
We loved Leland as blustery car salesman/football booster Buddy, and this is the easiest call of the bunch: We're convinced the man was born to play Boss Hogg in the inevitable TV reboot of "The Dukes of Hazzard." Can't you just see him fuming in a ten-gallon hat while those darn Duke boys speed away yet again? Yee-haw!
The series finale of "Friday Night Lights" aired on DirecTV's The 101 last week; the fif th and final season premieres on NBC Friday, 4/15 at 8pm ET.
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Where do you want to see your favorite "FNL" actors go next? Pick their next move in the comments.
