Reboot of Emmy-winning series “Friday Night Lights” confirmed for Peacock
Peacock, the NBCUniversal streamer, is set to be the new home for a reboot of the beloved series Friday Night Lights. The original show, which aired in 2006, was inspired by a nonfiction book written by H.G. “Buzz” Bissinger, a former reporter for The Inquirer and contributing editor at Vanity Fair. The book delves into the story of Odessa, Texas’s Permian High School football team on their journey to becoming state champions.
Before making its TV debut, Bissinger’s book was a bestseller and was later adapted into a 2004 film directed by Peter Berg and starring Billy Bob Thornton. Despite the passage of time, Bissinger remains surprised at the enduring popularity of Friday Night Lights, likening it to a resilient cockroach that just won’t go away.
The original TV series, helmed by Berg, aired on NBC for two seasons and received critical acclaim, including a Peabody and an Emmy for outstanding casting. It also served as a platform for rising stars like Jesse Plemons, Minka Kelly, and Michael B. Jordan.
After a competitive bidding process, Peacock emerged victorious in securing the rights for the TV reboot. The new series will be set in Texas in the aftermath of a devastating hurricane, focusing on a high school football team and their interim coach as they strive for the state championship and become a symbol of hope for their community.
With Jason Katims, the showrunner of the 2006 series, on board alongside Berg and producer Brian Grazer, fans can expect an exciting revival of the beloved Friday Night Lights saga. Stay tuned for more updates as the project develops!
