TV's 'Friday Night Lights' turns 20: Where are its stars now?

May 26 (UPI) -- Twenty years after the beloved high-school football drama, Friday Night Lights, premiered on NBC, most of its extraordinary cast is still working in high-profile film and TV projects.

Based on the 2004 movie of the same name, the five-season series was created by the film's writer-director Peter Berg.

Jason Katims served as show-runner and re-runs of the Texas drama are now streaming on Paramount+ and Pluto TV.

Here's a look at where the stars are now.

Kyle Chandler, 60, (Coach Eric Taylor)

Chandler won an Emmy for his portrayal of Eric in 2011. After the show ended that year, he went on to star in the movies Super 8, Argo, Zero Dark Thirty, The Wolf of Wall Street, Carol, Manchester by the Sea, Game Night and Godzilla vs. Kong.

He returned to TV to headline Bloodlines and later appeared in Mayor of Kingstown. He will soon be seen in Lanterns opposite Aaron Pierre.

Connie Britton, 59, (Tami Taylor)

Britton followed up her run in Friday Night Lights with lead roles in American Horror Story,Nashville and White Lotus. She reunited with Katims for the 2023 miniseries, Dear Edward, and starred in 2025's Zero Day alongside her fellow former FNL alum Jesse Plemons.

2026 saw the actress perform in the films The Family McMullen and The Life List. She also guest starred in the comedy series, Rooster.

Aimee Teegarden, 36, (Julie Taylor)

Teegarden has become Hallmark channel royalty, appearing in feel-good films such as Once Upon a Christmas Miracle, Heart of the Matter, Autumn in the City, Christmas Class Reunion and An Easter Bloom. She also guest starred on 9-1-1 this season.

Taylor Kitsch, 45, (Tim Riggins)

Kitsch starred in the films Lone Survivor, American Assassin, Only the Brave and 21 Bridges, as well as the TV series True Detective, Waco, American Primeval and Terminal List.

Jesse Plemons, 38, (Landry Clarke)

Plemons has also been working non-stop since FNL wrapped. He starred in Breaking Bad, Fargo, Black Mirror and Zero Day. His film credits include Bridge of Spies, Hostiles, Game Night, The Post, Black Mass, Power of the Dog and Bugonia. He will be seen later this year in Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping.

Zach Gilford, 44, (Matt Saracen)

Gilford has found his niche in horror starring in the limited series Midnight Mass, The Midnight Club and The Fall of the House of Usher. He also plays a serial killer on Criminal Minds: Evolution.

Minka Kelly, 45, (Lyla Garrity)

Kelly appeared in the film The Butler, as well as starred in the TV shows Parenthood, Charlie's Angels, Titans and Euphoria. She can now be seen in Ransom Canyon with Josh Duhamel.

Adrianne Palicki, 43, (Tyra Collette)

Palicki has starred in the sci-fi series Agents of SHIELD and The Orville, as well as the 2026 horror movie, The Wolf and the Lamb, and the 2012 remake of Red Dawn.

Gaius Charles, 43, (Smash Williams)

Charles was the lead in God Friended Me and played supporting roles in Roswell, N.M. and The Walking Dead: Dead City.

Michael B. Jordan, 39, (Vince Howard)

Jordan, who joined FNL in Season 4, saw his career skyrocket after the show ended. He starred in the blockbuster franchises Creed and Black Panther, then won an Oscar for Best Actor for playing a dual role in Sinners. His other credits include Parenthood, Fruitvale Station and Just Mercy.

Jurnee Smollett, 39, (Jess Merriweather)

Smollett has starred in the TV series Underground, True Blood, The Defenders, Parenthood, Lovecraft Country and, most recently, Smoke.

Matt Lauria, 43, (Luke Cafferty)

Lauria has recently played roles in the TV series CSI: Vegas, Tell Me a Story, Dickinson and Outer Range. He can now be seen on Sheriff Country with Morena Baccarin.

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This story was originally published May 26, 2026 at 12:45 PM.