Inspired by the best-selling book and acclaimed feature film, Friday Night Lights: The Complete First Season debuts on DVD August 28.

Executive produced by Peter Berg (who directed and wrote the film) and Academy Award winner Brian Grazer (A Beautiful Mind), Friday Night Lights has won wide viewer devotion and critical praise for its portrayal of the emotional dynamics of small town life and football.

All 22 episodes of the initial season, available for the first time on DVD, come with bonus features including a "Making of the Final Episode" feature, commentary by the producers and deleted scenes from some of the most memorable episodes.

Friday Night Lights tells a gripping story of life in Dillon, Texas, where everyone comes together on friday nights as the Dillon High Panthers play.

But this life is not a game; and the charismatic players, coach Eric Taylor (Kyle Chandler) and the passionate fans find that their biggest challenges and obstacles come off the field in this tight-knit community.

Bringing this story to life is an impressive ensemble cast starring Chandler (King Kong) and Connie Britton (24).

The other major players are Scott Porter (Music & Lyrics), Gaius Charles (The Book of Daniel), Taylor Kitsch (The Covenant), Zach Gilford (The Last Winter), Minka Kelly (What I Like About You), Adrianne Palicki (South Beach) Jesse Plemons (Grey's Anatomy) and Aimee Teegarden (Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide).

The eagerly-anticipated second season of Friday Night Lights premieres Friday, October 5 (9 p.m. ET) on NBC.

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