{blackbabes} Parenthood Raids FNL Talent Pool Again, Casts Jurnee Smollett for Season 5

Jurnee Smollett Parenthood Season 5

Clear eyes, full hearts, contain your understandable excitement: Another Friday Night Lights MVP is headed to Parenthood!

Former FNL boss-turned-Parenthood showrunner Jason Katims has recruited Dillon grad (and current True Blood co-star) Jurnee Smollett to join the NBC tear-jerker in a major recurring role for Season 5, TVLine has learned exclusively.

Smollett will play Heather Hall, a smart, feisty, up-and-coming political dynamo who Kristina hires to be her campaign manager (Kristina is running for local office, in case you didn't hear).

This brings to seven the number of FNL actors Katims has brought on to Parenthood. In addition to Smollett, Matt Lauria, Minka Kelly, Michael B. Jordan, Derek Phillips, Angela Rawna and Jeff Rosick have also appeared on the show.

Parenthood's 22-episode fifth season bows Thursday, Sept. 26 at 10/9c.