Where are the stars of Friday Night Lights now?

It has been 20 years since the world was introduced to the Dillon Panthers, a high school football team in rural Texas. The series, Friday Night Lights (FNL), starring Kyle Chandler and Connie Britton, garnered critical acclaim and a dedicated following over its five-season run. Last month, the series was ranked 14th on The New York Times' list of the 100 best TV shows of the 21st century.

As the series marks its 20th anniversary, many of its stars have gone on to become household names. Jesse Plemons and Michael B. Jordan, in particular, have achieved significant success in Hollywood.

Kyle Chandler (Coach Eric Taylor)

Chandler, who played the firm but fair Coach Eric Taylor, earned an Emmy Award for Lead Actor in 2011. During FNL's run, he appeared in films such as The Kingdom and The Day the Earth Stood Still. After the series concluded, Chandler focused on film work, appearing in Super 8, Argo, and Zero Dark Thirty. He declined an offer to reprise his role in an FNL movie, stating the series had a "perfect" ending. He returned to television in the Netflix series Bloodline, earning two Primetime Emmy Award nominations, and was cast as Hal Jordan / Green Lantern in the DC Universe TV series Lanterns. In his spare time, Chandler is a volunteer firefighter. He married Kathryn Macquarrie in 1995, and they have two daughters, Sydney and Sawyer. Sydney has followed in her father's footsteps into acting.

Connie Britton (Tami Taylor)

Prior to FNL, Britton was known for her work in Spin City, The West Wing, and 24. As Tami Taylor, Coach Taylor's wife and a devoted school guidance counselor, she gained an even larger fanbase. Britton and Chandler reportedly told the show's writers they would refuse to participate in an affair storyline, emphasizing their characters' partnership. After FNL, Britton starred in the inaugural series of American Horror Story: Murder House, as well as Dirty John and The White Lotus. She also played country music star Rayna James in Nashville. Britton adopted her son, Yoby, from Ethiopia in 2011. She is engaged to producer David Windsor.

Aimee Teegarden (Julie Taylor)

Teegarden was 16 when she was cast as Eric and Tami's daughter, Julie Taylor. She went on to appear in shows like 90210, Legend of the Seeker, and CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. She also had a role in Wes Craven's Scream 4. Teegarden previously reflected on her FNL experience, calling it "alchemy."

Scott Porter (Jason Street)

FNL was a career-defining role for Porter, who played football player Jason Street, whose career ended after a spinal injury. He later starred as George Tucker in Hart of Dixie and Mayor Paul Randolph in Ginny & Georgia. Porter also works as a voice actor for comic book-based projects and competed in season 11 of The Masked Singer. He met his wife, Kelsey, a cheerleader at the University of Texas at Austin, on the set of FNL. They have two children.

Minka Kelly (Lyla Garrity)

Kelly found fame as Lyla Garrity, Jason Street's girlfriend. The role was a significant opportunity for Kelly, who has spoken about her difficult upbringing. She later appeared in (500) Days of Summer, Parenthood, and the revival of Charlie's Angels. Kelly described her relationship with co-star Taylor Kitsch during filming as "toxic," impacting her interactions with other cast members. She is currently dating Imagine Dragons singer Dan Reynolds.

Taylor Kitsch (Tim Riggins)

Kitsch's breakout role was as the popular but troubled Tim Riggins. Before FNL, he struggled financially, even sleeping on the subway in New York. The show launched his career, leading to roles in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, John Carter, and 21 Bridges. He also starred in the second season of HBO's True Detective. Kitsch has expressed openness to a limited return to FNL but not a full reboot. He is currently focused on opening a nature retreat in Montana to support his sister's sobriety.

Zach Gilford (Matt Saracen)

Gilford played the shy quarterback Matt Saracen and was featured in Taylor Swift's 2011 music video for "Ours." He has since taken roles in Midnight Mass, The Midnight Club, and The Fall of the House of Usher. Gilford noted that FNL was an "iconic show and a great role." In 2010, he began dating his Matadors co-star Kiele Sanchez; they married two years later and have two children. Gilford filed for divorce in April.

Jesse Plemons (Landry Clarke)

Plemons' breakthrough role was as Landry Clarke. His career has since flourished with roles in Breaking Bad, Black Mirror, and Fargo, where he met his wife, Kirsten Dunst. They have two sons. Plemons received a Best Actor award at the Cannes Film Festival for his role in the 2024 film Kinds of Kindness and was nominated for an Academy Award for The Power of the Dog. Earlier this year, he was playfully awarded "Best Teammate" after his FNL castmate Michael B. Jordan won an Actor Award he was also nominated for.

Derek Phillips (Billy Riggins)

Phillips played Tim Riggins' older brother and legal guardian, Billy Riggins. After FNL, he voiced characters in video games such as Dishonored, Aliens, Rise of the Tomb Raider, and The Last of Us Part II. He currently voices Heron on the Netflix animated series Blood of Zeus. Phillips hosted the FNL rewatch podcast Clear Eyes, Full Hearts.

Gaius Charles (Brian 'Smash' Williams)

Charles gained fame as Smash Williams for three seasons. He took a break from acting to pursue a Master of Arts degree in Religious Studies from Drew University, traveling to India and Uganda. He returned to acting, joining the cast of Grey's Anatomy as Shane Ross. He has also appeared in Taken, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., and Law & Order: SVU. Most recently, he featured in The Walking Dead: Dead City.

Adrianne Palicki (Tyra Collette)

Palicki played the "It Girl" Tyra Collette for the first three seasons. She stated that FNL opened doors for her beyond roles she previously thought were her only options. After the show, she landed roles as Bobbi Morse in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Commander Kelly Grayson in The Orville. Her film credits include Red Dawn, G.I. Joe: Retaliation, and John Wick.

Michael B. Jordan (Vince Howard)

Jordan's role as quarterback Vince Howard provided a career boost after his earlier role in The Wire. He made his film breakout in Fruitvale Station and gained further acclaim for his roles in Ryan Coogler's Creed and Black Panther. In 2020, he was ranked 15th on The New York Times list of the 25 greatest actors of the 21st century. His work in the film Sinners earned him a Best Actor Oscar this year, with the film receiving a record 16 Oscar nominations.

Matt Lauria (Luke Cafferty)

Lauria played running back Luke Cafferty, his first starring role after appearing in Lipstick Jungle. After FNL, he moved to Chicago for the crime drama The Chicago Code, which was canceled after one season. He later had a recurring role in the NBC family drama Parenthood. Lauria currently stars in the police drama Sheriff Country. He has been married to musician Michelle Armstrong for 20 years.

Jurnee Smollett (Jess Merriweather)

Smollett joined FNL as Jess Merriweather, a student aspiring to be a football coach. She went on to roles in The Defenders, True Blood, and Lovecraft Country, earning an Emmy nomination for the latter. Her film work includes The Great Debaters, Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor, and Birds of Prey. Smollett is open to an FNL reboot. She is an HIV/Aids activist and shares a son with ex-husband Josiah Bell. She is one of six siblings, including actor Jussie Smollett.

Grey Damon (Hastings Ruckle)

Damon joined FNL in its fifth and final season as Hastings Ruckle. He later appeared in The Secret Circle, American Horror Story: Coven, and The Flash, and had a recurring role in Station 19.

Kyle Chandler's Family

Chandler, who played Coach Eric Taylor, has two daughters with his wife, Kathryn Macquarrie. His eldest daughter, Sydney, has followed him into acting, landing roles on Hulu's Pistol and Alien: Earth. His younger daughter, Sawyer, has been active in advocating to end shark finning.