Entertainment Weekly confirmed what had been expected for a while–the fifth season of “Friday Night Lights” will be the critically-acclaimed series’ last.
While NBC and DirecTV have not commented on the matter, sources close to the show told EW that the cast will be free to seek work elsewhere following the culmination of production on season five.
And, because production on the final season will wrap by June (for a fall 2010 airing on DirecTV and a late spring/summer 2011 airing on NBC), even the regulars might be able to secure clearance to join pilots in development for the upcoming season.
Numerous actors from “Friday Night Lights” are expected to be in hot demand for pilot casting; former series regulars Zach Gilford and Minka Kelly have already booked pilot roles in “Matadors” and “True Love,” respectively.
“Friday Night Lights”‘ fourth season finale airs tonight on DirecTV.