While NBC viewers will need to wait until the summer of 2010 to watch season four of Friday Night Lights, DirecTV subscribers will be privy to new episodes starting on October 28.

For the second year in a row, that network's channel 101 will show new episodes of the acclaimed drama, commercial-free, on Wednesday nights.

Following the events of the third season finale, during which coach Eric Taylor took a job at East Dillon high school, fans will meet new members of his school and his team.

“This season opener is practically a pilot in itself. It puts Coach Taylor at the center of the action in a new school, with a new team, and many new challenges,” said executive producer Jason Katims. “In addition to the returning cast, we are introducing a host of new characters who will become integral to the fourth and fifth season of the show.”

Get to know a few of these characters below...

• Vince (Michael B. Jordan): Great speed, undisciplined skills and unpredictable temper.
• Luke (Matt Lauria): Running back, former Dillon Panter, now a member of the Easy Dillon Lions due to new redistricting lines.
• Jess (Jurnee Smollett): Daughter of a former NFL hopeful.
• Becky (Madison Burge): Fifteen-year-old beauty queen, very popular at school.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.