Friday Night Lightswas a sports drama TV show that premiered in 2006 and ran for five seasons, ending in 2011. It was created by Pedro Berg and was inspired by HG Bissinger’s 1990 book of the same name and the 2004 movie. This project was initially aired on NBC and then moved to The 101 Network. It also won several awards, including a Peabody and a few Emmys.
The plot revolves arounda high school football team, where the players will have problems both on and off the field, addressing topics such as family values, racism, abortion, substances, economic deficiencies, and more. The series is set in Dillon, a fictional city, which is located next to rural West Texas, and has an excellent cast, which you can see below.
Tamara Jolaine as Erin Street
Tamara Jolainebrings to life Erin Street, who is a waitress, who was introduced in the second season of the series. She meets Jason after her failed date, taking him home. That same night they have sex and she gets pregnant, and later wants to have an abortion, although she ends up having the baby. Erin becomes Noah’s mother, and although she does not live with Jason, he offers her all his support.
Tamara’s last appearance on screen was in 2014 withBoyhood. She was in other productions, such asChase,The Tree of Life, andPlay Time.
Blue Deckert as Mac MacGill
Mac MacGill is played byBlue Deckert, who was introduced as a secondary character in Season 1. He was the offensive coordinator of the Dillon Panthers and got along badly with Eric. He is a character who would have problems with the Black players on the team due to his racist comments. Subsequently, he suffers a heart attack, but later recovers and continues as a coach.
Among the most notable appearances of this actor are the filmsBad Girls,The Stepfather,andEnvy. As for other shows the actor has been in,The Event,Dallas, andWalker, Texas Rangerstand out.
Stacey Oristano as Mindy Collette-Riggins
Mindy Collete-Riggins is played byStacey Oristanoand is introduced in Season 1. She works as a stripper at a local tavern, and her husband is Billy Riggins. During the development of her character in the following seasons, it can be observed that she possesses an empathetic quality with the strong situations of those close to her. She also has a child with Billyand later becomes pregnant with twins.
Stacey Oristano has guest-starred in several series, includingGrey’s Anatomy,Shameless, andGhost Hunt. She was also in the main cast ofBunheads.
Derek Phillips as Billy Riggins
Derek Phillipsbrings to life Billy Riggins, who is Tim’s older brother and guardian. He is introduced in the first season and is married to Mindy Colette. Over the next few seasons, this character would go on to start his own auto repair business and chop store. In the end, after his brother takes the fall and goes to jail, he becomes someone who is expecting twins and becomes the new coach of Dillon Panthers.
Related:Friday Night Lights: Every Main Character, Ranked by Likability
Phillips has appeared in several films, such asInjustice,Looking: The Movie, andRitual. He has also guest-starred inGrey’s Anatomy,Private Practice, andLongmire.
Brad Lelandplays Buddy Garrity. He owns a Chevrolet dealership, is Lyla’s father, and is introduced in Season 1. He is divorced from Pam, due to an affair with Tyra’s mother. He was a quarterback for the Dillon Panthers and then ends up opening a bar. During the series, he is always supporting the school and the football team he played for in high school.
Brad Leland has appeared in several series, such asThe Bureau,Veep, andWalker, Texas Ranger. He was also in the filmsThe Last Whistle,The Song, andMobius. He also played John Aubrey in the 2004 filmFriday Night Lights.
Grey Damon as Hastings Ruckle
Grey Damonplays Hastings Ruckle and is introduced in the fifth season of the series. He is recruited by Vince and Luke to play on the East Dillon football team, making him change his mindabout playing basketball. He is someone who has a laid-back personality and has a very powerful jumping ability. He fills in as wide receiver and helps win the state championship.
Grey has appeared in several series, such asThe Nine Lives of Chloe King,Twisted, andStar-Crossed. He was also onGrey’s Anatomyand is a regular character onStation 19, as well as co-starring onAquarius.
Madison Burge as Becky Sproles
Becky Sproles is played byMadison Burge, who is introduced in the fourth season as a recurring character and in the fifth season as a main character. She is initially an aspiring beauty queen who takes a romantic interest in Tim, only to later have sex with Luke and undergo an abortion. She maintains a relationship with Luke while living with Mindy and Billy, although she later returns to live with her mother.
Madison Burge has participated in several series, taking on recurring and lead roles. Among them areWhat Would Diplo Do?,Chicago Fire,Star-Crossed, andDexter.
Matt Lauria as Luke Cafferty
Matt Lauriaplays Luke Cafferty onFriday Night Lights, being introduced in the fourth season of the series. He takes Tim Riggins' place as the team’s runner and is described as someone who likes to collaborate and be hardworking. He lives in the East Dillon district, although he lies that he lives in West Dillon in order to keep playing for West Dillon. He becomes involved with Becky, getting her pregnant to later maintain a relationship with her. Eventually,this character enlists in the army.
Related:How Friday Night Lights Revitalized Itself Halfway Through Its Airing
Matt Lauria has had a resounding success in television, due to the fact that he has been in the main cast of several series. These includeCSI: Vegas,Little Birds,Tell Me A Story,Traitors, andKingdom.
Jurnee Smollett as Jess Meriweather
Jess Meriweather is played byJurnee Smollettand is introduced in the fourth season of the series. She is a student from East Dillon and works at her family’s restaurant. She becomes Vince’s girlfriend after becoming involved with Landry. Eventually, Jess ends up moving to Dallas with her family.
Smollett has worked mainly in series, playing regular roles mostly. Some of her projects have beenSofia the First,Underground,True Blood,The Defenders, andWanda at Large.
Michael B. Jordan as Vince Howard
Michael B. Jordanbrings Vince Howard to life in the series, being introduced in the fourth season. He joins the East Dillon football team unprepared with the intention of not stopping in juvenile detention and becomes a quarterback. This character becomes arrogant because of the team’s victories, although he later changes his perspective and becomes someone more mature.
Jordan hasan overly broad background in the industry. He has been in series such asThe Assistants,The Wire,All My Children, andParenthood. Also, he participated in the filmsJustice League: The Flashpoint Paradox,Space Jam: A New Legacy, andBlackout. He is mainly recognized for his roles inBlack PantherandCreed. He has won several awards, including a Teen Choice, an Emmy, and two NAACP Image.
