Friday Night Lights eventually became one of television's most beloved sports dramas. According to one of its stars, however, surviving long enough to earn that reputation wasn't exactly a sure thing.
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Minka Kelly, who played Lyla Garrity on the football series, revealed that the show seemingly faced an uncertain future every year.
"It would have been nice at the time to feel it was that successful," Kelly said during an appearance on Late Night With Seth Meyers, via People. "You know, we were just on the brink of being canceled every season."
Kelly compared the situation to other NBC shows from that era, including The Office, that became cultural fixtures despite facing questions about their futures early on.
"Now they're everyone's favorite shows," Kelly said.
Friday Night Lights debuted in 2006 and was inspired by the 1990 nonfiction book and subsequent 2004 movie about high school football in Texas.
The television series centered on the fictional Dillon Panthers and coach Eric Taylor, played by Kyle Chandler. Connie Britton starred as his wife, Tami, while the cast also included Taylor Kitsch, Jesse Plemons and, later, Michael B. Jordan.
Kelly appeared during the show's first three seasons, with Lyla becoming one of her breakout roles.
The series initially aired on NBC before a unique arrangement with DirecTV helped keep it alive. It ultimately lasted five seasons before concluding in 2011.
Its reputation only grew from there.
The cast reunited earlier this year at the ATX TV Festival in Austin to celebrate the show's 20th anniversary, another reminder that a series once fighting for survival managed to become a football television classic.
Clear eyes, full hearts, nearly canceled.
