Friday Night Lights will be back for two more seasons, but Zach Gilford‘s days in Dillon could be over. Barring an unlikely academic meltdown, Gilford’s put-upon quarterback Matt Saracen will graduate this season from Dillon High, following the lead of Jason Street (Scott Porter) and “Smash” Williams (Gaius Charles), who previously bid their adieus. (Minka Kelly and Adrianne Palicki are also rumored to be moving on, so FNL might be facing some serious rebuilding.)
In a recent conversation with EW, Gilford said he was excited about the show’s renewal but acknowledged that executive producer Jason Katims recently told him that Saracen’s fate remains undecided. Still, he hasn’t abandoned all hope. “I think there’s a lot of stuff that could keep him around,” suggests the 27-year-old actor, who stars in the upcoming movie Post-Grad, opposite Alexis Bledel. “The fact that Matt’s dating the coach’s daughter and his best friend will still be in high school. But they have to make sure it’s done in a way that will still keep the show about what the show’s supposed to be about, which is the high school football team.”
While thrilled with the show’s renewal, we are facing a lack of kids in high school. Unless next season is the spring semester of their senior year (which would make football pointless), we are looking at losing practically all the younger stars. And the show hasn’t done a good job of giving us any additional students to fill the gaps (understandably considering the abbreviated seasons). How ARE they going to address the fact that most of the characters we care about will have graduated and realistically moved on?
Mike, I’ve been wondering the same thing. JD’s been the only introduction. I didn’t want to question it too much, because this season has been amazing.
I’m 100% with you on that one, Mike. This is our favorite show, but as every episode gets closer to the end of the season, we’ve been nervous about how they’re going to follow this up next season. These are the characters we know and love and I can’t really imagine the show without them. As long as the same writers and producers stay on, Landry, the Taylor’s and Buddy (and now the McCoy’s) make great familiar characters…but this show to me is Street, Riggins, Smash, Tyra, Lila…the whole crew. It will be strange without them. I think they have done an awesome job of wrapping up this season without knowing if FNL was being renewed. My husband just commented this Friday how nice it was to see a TV show spend the time over a period of several weeks wrapping up so many different character’s story arcs, instead of cramming it into one extended episode. Hopefully the producers/writers don’t change much next year but it’s going to be interesting. Still, best show on TV right now!
As much as I love Coach Taylor, I think of Matt Saracen as the heart of the show. Zach does such an amazing job with the role – surely Jason Katims and the other writers will want to continue his story. Keeping Taylor Kitsh is a slam dunk too.
For those of you worried about getting to know new characters – the season finale will erase your doubts, I promise.
You know, I was worried too about missing Lyla,Jason, Smash, Tim, Tyra, Matt, etc, but the writers at FNL are soooo good, we will fall in love with any/all new characters introduced.
They need Matt next year. His story is so powerful and this character I feel is the central piece of the show. They have many places they can take him. Last year with the feeling that everyone left him was heart breaking. They need to do more with him like that.
I’ll tell you how — introduce some new characters to the show. FNL has been renewed for two more seasons… plenty of time to bring us some characters we will grow to love. Sad to see Minka, Adrianne, Scott and Gaius go, but I have so much faith these excellent writers will do us justice.
I don’t want to spoil the rest of you, but trust me that the season finale will leave you confident that the next two seasons are going to be very interesting. I trust that the writers will bring us some awesome new high schoolers, but please, please pretty please let us keep Matt Saracen! He’s my absolute favorite! There’s got to be some nearby state school or community college we haven’t heard about that he can commute to.
Matt has got to stick around for at least all of Season 4. There is so much more they can do with his character, especially after what happens in these last two episodes (don’t want to ruin it for those who waited to watch on NBC). And like someone else already said, Matt is the heart of the show. It wouldn’t be the same without him and quite frankly I wouldn’t like it as much if he left and never came back.
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I love this show. I can’t for the life of me understand why it isn’t the number one show on television. The first season was amazing, the second lacked what the first one brought but the third season was bringing it back. It was sad to see Jason Street and Smash Williams leave but there characters were done. They had no unfinished busniess left. Riggins has so much more to give. But most of all Matt Saracen’s story can’t be done so quick (meaning in a 13 episode season). There is his grandmother, Julie, even Landry. They have so much to work with him. I hope he stays in Dillion at least for season 4. I love the show and I hope it gets the recognition it deserves.
I am so in love with Matt (along with every other character on the show), but there is something amazing about him. I do trust the writers though, and will hang in there no matter who comes or goes.
i love matt saracen played by zach gilford. seriously, the best character on TV in my opinion. i trust the writers will continue to develop his character in a way that stays true to FNL. with that said, i don’t want to see him go!!
I think this season is going to be amazing! I am so excited about this new East Dillon deal, I think it’s going to be as good as the first season!