Glen Powell leads Hulu’s latest football comedy, Chad Powers, which premiered Tuesday, September 30. As both co-creator and executive producer alongside Michael Waldron, Powell embraces a complex dual role as Russ Holliday, a disgraced former college quarterback, and his prosthetic-laden alter ego, Chad Powers, diving into daring and unconventional storylines. The series blends humor and heart, built around a premise inspired by former NFL quarterback Eli Manning’s sketch, appealing to both sports fans and those seeking unique character-driven comedy.
From Sketch Comedy to Full Series Concept
Originally stemming from Eli Manning’s sketch Eli’s Places, the idea of Chad Powers evolved into a passion project for Waldron and Powell. Waldron described the concept as beginning with
“just this silly sketch that was really funny,”
which sparked their interest in creating a show rooted in college football culture. As they developed the series, they recognized its potential to combine heartfelt storytelling with comedic elements. Waldron recalled,
“To us initially, it was like, well, this is maybe an opportunity to do a show about college football [because] we’re both college football fans,”
and added,
“I think it was only as we started talking more and more about it that we were like, ‘Well, is this actually a surprising opportunity for a show that can have a lot of heart and a lot of fun character stuff?’”
The Story Behind Chad Powers and Russ Holliday
The series follows Russ Holliday, once a celebrated quarterback at the University of Oregon, whose professional career fell apart due to mistakes both on and off the field. Facing a lost future, Russ spots a chance for redemption with South Georgia University’s Catfish football team, which is holding open tryouts under coach Jake Hudson, played by Steve Zahn. Using a combination of latex prosthetics and a questionable wig, Russ adopts the persona of Chad Powers to try out and reclaim his place in the game.
Inspiration and Creative Influences
Waldron highlighted their writing approach by comparing it to classic films and shows mixing comedy, sports, and complex characters. He stated,
“Our approach was write ourselves into corners, you know, because we were inspired by certainly Mrs. Doubtfire, Tootsie, those great stories, great sports stuff like Bull Durham, Major League, The Replacements, even Jerry Maguire, but also stuff like Breaking Bad, you know, or Barry.”
The narrative is driven by
“a big lie at the center of it,”
which Waldron described as the core tension propelling every scene. This central falsehood created both a creative challenge and a source of comedic and emotional depth for the writing team.
Powell’s Impact as Performer and Collaborator
Glen Powell’s contributions went beyond acting, playing a major role in shaping the character and story. Waldron praised Powell’s fearless commitment, saying,
“As a performer, you know, Glen is incredibly funny,”
and remarked on his willingness to explore unusual and bold moments:
“He’s an incredibly weird actor when he wants to be. He can do such weird, crazy stuff. … He goes to such daring places in this show, and it was my job just to push him there. But I didn’t even really have to push him — he was he ran full stop at it.”
Supporting Cast Brings Depth to the Ensemble
The series features a strong supporting lineup contributing to its distinctive mix of humor and heart. Steve Zahn plays Jake Hudson, the steady coach of the Catfish team. Perry Mattfeld portrays Ricky, Quentin Plair takes on the role of Coach Byrd, Wynn Everett embodies Tricia Yeager, and Frankie A. Rodriguez joins as Danny, the team’s quirky mascot.
Plair, drawing from his own background as a former college football player, welcomed the chance to combine his two passions by playing a coach. Wynn Everett drew inspiration from her upbringing in Georgia for her portrayal of the bold and forthright Tricia, stating,
“Every woman in my life growing up in the south, I pulled from for Tricia.”
Frankie A. Rodriguez emphasized the show’s appeal beyond sports enthusiasts, explaining,
“I think anybody who watches it will find someone to kind of latch on to and follow along with,”
and added,
“There really is something for everyone. So I would say even if you’re not a sports fan, you will find something to love about this show.”
Anticipated Reception and What to Expect Next
With its unique blend of comedy, heart, and sports culture, Chad Powers aims to captivate a diverse audience. Its premiere on Hulu introduces viewers to a story built on resilience and reinvention, elevated by Glen Powell’s fearless performance and grounded by a talented supporting cast. The show’s combination of bold humor and emotional stakes sets it apart as a promising addition to Hulu’s lineup, poised to attract both college football fans and those seeking a fresh comedic narrative with layered characters.
