Taylor Kitsch says he's not returning as Tim Riggins in 'Friday Night Lights' reboot

By Angeline Jane Bernabe

Taylor Kitsch says he's won't be part of the highly anticipated "Friday Night Lights" reboot -- he has his sights set on something else.

At the red carpet premiere for "The Terminal List: Dark Wolf" on Monday night, Kitsch opened up to The Wrap about whether he would be involved in the upcoming reboot.

"I was asked to do it," he said. "I'm not going back, no."

Jason Mendez/Getty Images for Prime Video

Taylor Kitsch attends Prime Video x "The Terminal List: Dark Wolf" Red Carpet Premiere Screening on August 04, 2025 in New York City.

Instead, he said he would be continuing his work with Howlers Ridge, a nonprofit retreat center in Bozeman, Montana, aimed at supporting veterans and those battling addiction.

"It's for veterans and people on the sober side of addiction," said Kitsch, who mentioned that the program is in its third year. "Addiction runs through my family, it's affected my life on so many levels. And then, obviously, the veteran community, the SEAL community, and the veteran families have affected my life for the better."

In "The Terminal List: Dark Wolf," Kitsch stars as Ben Edwards, a CIA operative. The series follows Ben "throughout his journey from the Navy SEALS to the clandestine side of CIA Special Operations," according to a press release, and stars Chris Pratt, Tom Hopper, Luke Hemsworth and more. The series is a prequel to the 2022 series "The Terminal List," which starred Kitsch, Pratt, Constance Wu, Riley Keough and more.

"The Terminal List: Dark Wolf" is set to premiere on Amazon Prime Video on Aug. 27, 2025.

Kitsch previously portrayed Tim Riggins on "Friday Night Lights" for five seasons.

Michael Muller/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Taylor Kitsch, as Tim Riggins, in a promo photo for "Friday Nights Lights."

The show aired its first season in 2006 and centered around a high school football team in small-town Texas, led by Coach Eric Taylor, played by Kyle Chandler.

Connie Britton, Aimee Teegarden, Zach Gilford, Brad Leland, Jesse Plemons, Derek Phillips and Minka Kelly also starred in the series.

"Friday Night Lights" concluded in 2011 after five seasons. It won three Emmys, including outstanding lead actor in a drama series for Chandler.

Nbc/NBCUniversal via Getty Images

Pictured: (l-r) Gaius Charles as Brian "Smash" Williams, Jesse Plemons as Landry Clarke, Minka Kelly as Lyla Garrity, Scott Porter as Jason Street, Aimee Teegarden as Julie Taylor, Connie Britton as Tami Taylor, Kyle Chandler as Eric Taylor, Zach Gilford as Matt Saracen, Adrianne Palicki as Tyra Collette, Taylor Kitsch as Tim Riggins.

Kitsch opened up to ABC News in 2014 about how the show was close to his heart.

"There's so many good memories, really," he said. "We were incredibly spoiled on that show. Riggins' last game was tough. That was a big day. Those are the good memories I have."

In December 2024, "Good Morning America" confirmed that a new adaptation of "Friday Night Lights" was in development at Peacock.

The adaptation will focus on a high school football team and their interim head coach who vie for a Texas High School State Championship title, serving as a point of hope for their hurricane-devastated town.

Jason Katims, the original showrunner and executive producer, will return to the show with Peter Berg, the original show director.

Brian Grazer will return to the series to executive produce, and Kristen Zolner will also executive produce for Imagine Entertainment.