More than two decades after Glen Powell missed out on a part in the original Friday Night Lights series, he has now surpassed the remake with his own new sports-themed show. Glen Powell Friday Night Lights fans might find it interesting that early in his career, Powell auditioned for the role of Tim Riggins, a character that eventually went to Taylor Kitsch and became iconic in the Emmy-winning football drama.
Before gaining recognition in major films like Top Gun: Maverick and Twisters, Powell was a struggling actor in Los Angeles, searching for breakthrough roles. His near casting as Tim Riggins highlights how close he was to joining one of television’s most beloved sports stories, a fact he revealed during an interview on the Therapuss podcast last week.
Exploring Glen Powell’s New Football-Themed Comedy Series
Currently, Glen Powell stars in and co-created the Hulu series Chad Powers, which debuted its first two episodes on September 30, 2025. While Chad Powers is lighter and more comedic in tone than Friday Night Lights, it shares themes of redemption and sportsmanship. Powell plays Russ Holliday, a former college quarterback whose arrogance jeopardized his NFL prospects. The character attempts a comeback by joining a college football team as a walk-on, taking on the persona of Chad Powers.
The series focuses on an underdog football team balancing personal ambitions and team dynamics, echoing some elements from Friday Night Lights. Although Russ Holliday’s struggles differ from those of Jason Street, the original show’s broken star quarterback, Powell’s storyline centers on recovering lost glory and proving oneself both on and off the field.
Peacock’s Friday Night Lights Reboot Remains in Early Development
In late 2024, Peacock announced plans to revive Friday Night Lights with the original team returning, including creators Jason Katims, Peter Berg, and Brian Grazer. Despite the announcement, the reboot appears to remain in the early stages of production, with few updates released since then. The platform recently launched The Office spinoff, which suggests they are interested in revitalizing their legacy content.
Until Peacock’s project progresses, fans seeking fresh football drama and comedy can turn to Chad Powers, where Glen Powell leads a fresh take on sports storytelling.
Cast and Characters of Chad Powers
The cast of Chad Powers features Glen Powell as Russ Holliday/Chad Powers, bringing a mix of humor and heartfelt moments to his role. Alongside him are Jake Hudson, Perry Mattfeld, Toby Huss portraying Ricky, and Frankie A. Rodriguez as Coach Byrd. This ensemble embodies the challenges and camaraderie of a college football team striving to overcome setbacks and rebuild together.
Glen Powell continues to expand his portfolio beyond acting by co-writing and co-producing, demonstrated with his contributions to the 2023 comedy Hit Man and the development of Chad Powers. His evolution from a hopeful actor auditioning in Los Angeles to a multifaceted creator and star showcases his rising profile in Hollywood, as well as a commitment to telling stories with sincerity and spirit.
