- Reboot of successful series from the noughties in the works
- Will focus on a new story with new characters
- Some of the team from the original show are back on board
Beloved American Football-based drama Friday Night Lights is getting a reboot with a new cast of characters.
New story and characters
Variety broke the story that a new version of the show is in development, saying it had confirmed the news from sources.
Some of the original team behind Friday Night Lights, which ran for five seasons from 2006-11, are on board for the reboot. This includes Jason Katims, who was showrunner on the original series, and executive producer Brian Grazer.
It is thought the reboot would focus on a new story with a new cast of characters, although still set in the world of high school football.
Friday Night Lights ran for 76 episodes in its original run. It focused on the fortunes of the Dillon Panthers, based in Dillon, Texas, and their efforts to get to the state championship. Coach Eric Taylor – played by Kyle Chandler – was one of the prime characters, showing him trying to balance work, family and status in the community.
As well as portraying the ups and downs of high school football, it also explored the lives of the players. In season one, star quarterback Jason Street suffered a spinal injury that left him a paraplegic, and a story arc focused on his adaptation to a new life.
In later series, Taylor went onto coach the East Dillon Lions, and brought in a range of new characters.
However, the show is in the early stages of development and has not yet been picked up by a network, Variety noted.
Lanterns bound
As the reboot would focus on new characters, it is unlikely that Chandler would return to the new show. He might not have time either, as he is set for a role in new DC Universe superhero show Lanterns. Chandler will play Hal Jordan in this new version of the classic comic book.
