US TV
© NBC Universal
Executive producer Jason Katims confirmed to Entertainment Weekly that the actor will not be reprising his role as Brian 'Smash' Williams.
"[The departure] was a combination of his availability and the storytelling," he explained. "With only 13 episodes, we ended up having to pick and choose which stories and characters to service. The story drives everything."
He added: "We didn't want to bring [old characters] back just to bring them back. We wanted to make sure we had a good story for them."
However, Katims revealed that the character will be referenced in an upcoming episode.
"We find out how [Smash is] doing in school," he said.
The producer has also confirmed that former star Minka Kelly will not return to the sporting drama for the final episodes.
Friday Night Lights returns to The 101 Network on October 27.
Related Stories
Tube Talk
'Bedlam': On set for the new seriesTube Talk takes a trip to the Bedlam set and speaks with star Lacey Turner.
US TV Interviews
'Mike and Molly' Reno Wilson Q&ADigital Spy chats to Reno Wilson about Mike and Molly's wedding and beyond.
US TV Ratings
'Duets' beats 'Touch' finale on ThursdayMeanwhile, CBS wins primetime with a lineup full of repeats.
2012-13 Season
'Sherlock's Lara Pulver joins new dramaLara Pulver will star in the new Starz series about Leonard Da Vinci.
