Mercedes Gets A New Love Interest On Glee

FIRST PUBLISHED: August 10, 2011 4:36 PM EDT LOS ANGELES, Calif. -- Although Chord Overstreet is pursuing other options after the producers behind Glee chose not to offer him a season regular gig, Mercedes (Amber Riley) is still going to get some love in her McKinley High life. LaMarcus Tinker, formerly of NBCs Friday Night Lights is set to heat up the love life of the New Directions member as Marcus, TV Guide reported on Tuesday. LaMarcus will play Marcus, a linebacker. He reportedly started work on the FOX show on Tuesday. While Chord wont be back, Darren Criss (Blaine) and Harry Shum Jr. (Mike) were made season regulars for the upcoming season. Beyond the new full-time cast members, the upcoming season of Glee will focus on the senior year of graduating characters Finn (Cory Monteith), Rachel (Lea Michele) and Kurt (Chris Colfer). It also appears Santana (Naya Rivera) will be graduating, the actress previously told Access Hollywood. Copyright 2011 by NBC Universal, Inc. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.