Chad Powers represents one of the most fascinating cultural crossovers between real-life sports stunts and high-stakes scripted television. The character initially grabbed the world’s attention during a viral segment on ESPN+ where a disguised NFL legend tried out for a college football team. Today, Chad Powers has evolved into a full-fledged streaming phenomenon on Hulu, starring Hollywood heavyweight Glen Powell. This comprehensive guide explores every facet of the Chad Powers universe, from the comedic origins of the character to the intricate plot of the television series and the highly anticipated second season.
The Birth of a Legend: How Eli Manning Created Chad Powers
The story of Chad Powers actually begins long before Hulu greenlit a comedy series. In 2022, two-time Super Bowl champion Eli Manning participated in a segment for his show Eli’s Places on ESPN+. Manning wanted to see if he could still cut it as a college walk-on without anyone recognizing his famous face. He underwent a massive physical transformation involving a shaggy blonde wig, facial prosthetics, and a mustache that made him look like a 26-year-old “homeschooled” kid.
Manning showed up at Penn State University for their walk-on tryouts under the name Chad Powers. He famously told coaches that his mother was his coach and his teacher, and he claimed he had never played organized ball because he was homeschooled. While he initially struggled with the 40-yard dash, his arm told a different story. The moment Chad Powers started throwing the football, everyone on the field knew he possessed elite talent. The segment ended with Penn State head coach James Franklin revealing the ruse to the stunned players. The clip exploded on social The Enigmatic media, racking up tens of millions of views and turning Chad Powers into an instant icon of sports comedy.
From Viral Skit to Streaming Hit: The Hulu Adaptation
Recognizing the immense potential of the character, Glen Powell and Michael Waldron teamed up to adapt the concept into a scripted half-hour comedy for Hulu. The show keeps the core premise—a disgraced quarterback going undercover—but adds layers of drama, dark comedy, and emotional stakes. Glen Powell stars as Russ Holliday, a once-great college quarterback whose career ended in total disgrace. After a disastrous fumble and a televised sideline altercation, Holliday becomes a social pariah.
Desperate for a second chance and unable to find work under his own name, Russ uses his father’s professional makeup skills to transform into Chad Powers. He heads to the South Georgia Catfish, a struggling small-college team, where he hopes to lead them to glory while hiding his true identity. The series balances the absurdity of the disguise with the genuine tragedy of a man who lost everything and is willing to live a lie just to play the game he loves one last time.
Exploring the Plot of Chad Powers Season 1
The first season of Chad Powers premiered on September 30, 2025, and quickly became a standout hit for Hulu. It masterfully navigates the tension between the comedic elements of the “undercover” trope and the serious consequences of Russ Holliday’s past.
The Fall of Russ Holliday
The series opens by showing the moment Russ Holliday’s life fell apart. During a national championship game for the Oregon Ducks, Russ fumbles the ball on the one-yard line, costing his team the title. In the aftermath, he lashes out at a fan, accidentally knocking over a young boy in a wheelchair. This moment defines Russ in the eyes of the public. He is no longer a star athlete; he is a villain. Eight years later, we find him living a hollow life, still obsessed with football but Darwin Nunez completely blacklisted from the professional and collegiate levels.
Becoming Chad Powers
Russ’s father, a professional makeup artist in the film industry, provides the means for his transformation. With high-quality prosthetics and a new persona, Chad Powers is born. Chad is the polar opposite of the arrogant Russ Holliday. He is earnest, awkward, and supposedly homeschooled, which explains his lack of formal records. He travels to South Georgia to join the Catfish, a team led by the aging and stressed Head Coach Jake Hudson, played by Steve Zahn.
The South Georgia Catfish Dynamic
The Catfish are a team in desperate need of a spark. When Chad Powers arrives, he immediately impresses the coaching staff with his incredible arm talent. However, his presence creates friction within the locker room, especially with the incumbent quarterback, Gerry. The assistant coach, Ricky Hudson, who is also the head coach’s daughter, starts to suspect that something isn’t right with Chad. The season follows Chad as he leads the team to an improbable winning streak, all while navigating a complex web of lies that threatens to unravel at any moment.
The Dramatic Season 1 Finale
The first season concludes on a massive cliffhanger. After Coach Hudson suffers a heart attack, Russ is forced to drive him to the hospital in his personal Cybertruck—a vehicle that clearly doesn’t belong to a poor “homeschooled” kid. Ricky spots the truck and later confirms Russ’s identity by seeing a specific tattoo on his arm. She confronts him, threatening to expose the fraud. However, Russ turns the tables, pointing out that if he is exposed, the team’s entire season will be forfeited, and her father’s reputation will be destroyed. The season ends with Chad taking the field for the biggest game of the year, knowing his secret is no longer safe.
Meet the Cast and Characters of Chad Powers
The success of the show rests heavily on its stellar ensemble cast, led by one of the most sought-after actors in Hollywood.
Glen Powell as Russ Holliday / Chad Powers
Glen Powell delivers a tour de force performance, playing two distinct versions of the same man. He brings his signature charisma to the role of Russ Holliday Everything You Need while fully disappearing into the goofy, high-energy persona of Chad Powers. Powell also serves as a co-creator and executive producer, ensuring the character maintains a balance of humor and heart.
Steve Zahn as Coach Jake Hudson
Steve Zahn plays the head coach of the South Georgia Catfish. Hudson is a man under immense pressure, trying to save his job and his legacy. He sees Chad Powers as a gift from the football gods, unaware that his new star is actually the most hated man in sports. Zahn brings a perfect blend of comedic timing and weary sincerity to the role.
Perry Mattfeld as Ricky Hudson
As the offensive assistant coach and the first person to truly uncover Russ’s secret, Ricky is the moral compass of the show. Perry Mattfeld portrays her as a brilliant football mind who is constantly overlooked because of her gender and her father’s shadow. Her relationship with Chad is the emotional core of the series, shifting from suspicion to a complicated form of mutual dependency.
The Supporting Ensemble
The locker room is filled with vibrant characters who add depth to the sports comedy setting:
Frankie Rodriguez as Danny: The team’s mascot who discovers Chad’s secret early on and becomes his unlikely accomplice.
Quentin Plair as Coach Byrd: A skeptical assistant coach who keeps a close eye on the team’s new arrival.
Wynn Everett as Tricia: The chair of the team’s booster trust, representing the high stakes of small-town college football.
What We Know About Chad Powers Season 2
Following the massive success of the first season, Hulu officially renewed Chad Powers for a second season. The production wrapped in early 2026, and fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in the South Georgia Catfish saga.
Release Date and Production Status
Showrunner Michael Waldron recently confirmed that Chad Powers Season 2 will premiere in the fall of 2026. This aligns with the start of the real-life college football season, making it the perfect time for the show to return. Filming took place in early 2026, and the production team has teased that the new episodes will be even more ambitious than the first.
New Cast Members for Season 2
The second season will feature several high-profile guest stars and new recurring characters. Reports indicate that Gillian Jacobs and Colin Woodell have joined the cast. Jacobs will play the sister of the team’s alternate quarterback, while Woodell plays a character linked to a “catfishing” storyline—a perfect thematic fit for a show about secret identities.
The Plot of Season 2: “Everybody’s Complicit”
Glen Powell has teased that the stakes are much higher in the upcoming season. While the first season focused on Russ hiding his identity, the second season will explore the fallout of people finding out. Powell stated in recent interviews that “everybody is invested and everybody is complicit in a completely different way.” This suggests that instead of exposing Russ, the people around him might help maintain the lie to protect their own interests, creating a “house of cards” scenario that could collapse at any time.
Production Secrets: Bringing Chad Powers to Life
The making of Chad Powers is as interesting as the show itself. From the makeup chair to the football field, the production requires a high level of technical expertise.
The Prosthetics Process
Transforming Glen Powell into Chad Powers is a grueling process. The makeup team uses medical-grade prosthetics to alter Powell’s jawline, nose, and skin texture. Because the show features intense physical activity, the makeup must be durable enough to withstand sweat and contact during football scenes. The goal was to create a look that is “unplaceable”—someone who looks familiar but whom you can’t quite identify, much like Eli Manning’s original disguise.
Real Football Authenticity
To ensure the show feels like real college football, the production team enlisted the help of Eli and Peyton Manning. The Manning brothers served as executive producers and provided guidance on quarterback mechanics and locker room culture. Many of the football scenes were filmed in real stadiums to capture the authentic scale and energy of the sport. Glen Powell, a noted sports fan himself, underwent extensive training to make his performances on the field look like those of a former elite athlete.
FAQ: Everything You Need to Know About Chad Powers
1. Is Chad Powers based on a true story?The television series is a fictional story, but it is based on a real-life segment from Eli’s Places where Eli Manning went undercover as a walk-on at Penn State. The character of Russ Holliday and the specific plot involving the South Georgia Catfish are original creations for the Hulu show.
2. Where can I watch the Chad Powers TV show? You can stream all episodes of Chad Powers exclusively on Hulu in the United States. Internationally, the series is available on Disney+ under the Star brand.
3. When does Chad Powers Season 2 come out?Season 2 is officially scheduled to premiere on Hulu in the fall of 2026. While an exact date has not been announced, it is expected to debut between September and October.
4. How many episodes are in the first season?The first season of Chad Powers consists of six episodes, each ranging from 30 to 45 minutes in length.
5. Does Eli Manning appear in the show?Yes, Eli Manning makes a guest appearance in the first season as an Ole Miss coach. He and his brother Peyton also serve as executive producers for the series through their company, Omaha Productions.
6. Why is Russ Holliday in trouble at the start of the show?Russ Holliday’s career was ruined after he fumbled a national championship game and then physically assaulted a fan on national television. This double scandal made him a pariah in the sports world.
7. Who plays Chad Powers in the Hulu series?Hollywood actor Glen Powell plays the dual role of Russ Holliday and his alter ego, Chad Powers. Powell is known for his roles in Top Gun: Maverick, Anyone But You, and Twisters.
8. Is the show more of a comedy or a drama?Chad Powers is categorized as a sports comedy, but it features significant dramatic elements. It uses the “undercover” premise for humor while exploring deeper themes of redemption, identity, and the pressure of elite athletics.
9. Will there be a Season 3 of Chad Powers? While a third season has not been officially confirmed, the show’s high ratings and critical acclaim make it a strong candidate for further renewal. Much will depend on the performance of Season 2 later this year.
10. What is the “South Georgia Catfish” team? The South Georgia Catfish is the fictional college football team where Chad Powers tries out. They are a small, struggling program that sees Chad as their ticket to a winning season and national relevance
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