Zach Gilford Joins Cast of Off the Map

Zach Gilford is not in Dillon, Texas, anymore.

The actor, who played soft-spoken quarterback Matt Saracen on Friday Night Lights, is joining ABC’s Shonda Rhimes-produced medical drama Off the Map as a series regular.

Entertainment Weekly reports that Gilford will play a plastic surgeon in the South America-set drama, slated to premiere in mid-season. He's excited for the change of pace.

“The character is still being written, but I’ve heard him described as kind of an all-American frat boy,” says Gilford. “[Map creator Jenna Bans] told me she loves FNL, but wants to distance me from that role as much as possible. [Something] that excited me.”

Zach actually experienced a brief foray into Shondaland the year before last.

Grey’s Anatomy fans may recall that he guest-starred on that series in Season 5.

“I didn’t have any contact with Shonda, but I've watched Grey’s since the beginning and I’ve also seen a little bit of Private Practice,” Zach says. “Her work speaks for itself.”

Gilford’s casting comes less than two weeks after news that Off the Map star Enrique Murciano had been let go from the show for creative reasons. Welcome aboard, ZG!

Steve Marsi is the Managing Editor of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Google+ or email him here.