Glen Powell’s New Hulu Series Fills Ted Lasso Gap

After a two-year wait since the last season of Apple TV+’s Ted Lasso, fans seeking a similar sports comedy experience have been eager for a fresh show to fill that void. Glen Powell’s new Hulu series, launched in late September 2025, arrives precisely to meet this demand by blending humor and drama centered on college football.

Overview of Glen Powell’s New Hulu Sports Comedy

Premiering on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, the Hulu series titled Chad Powers stars Glen Powell as Russ Holliday, a brash and egotistical college quarterback whose career sharply declined following a tarnished performance in a championship game. Russ takes drastic measures to restart his life by assuming the identity of Chad Powers, a new walk-on player aiming for redemption on a different college football team. The cast also features Steve Zahn, Toby Huss, Perry Mattfeld, Wynne Everett, Frankie A. Rodriguez, among others. The show consists of six episodes, with the first two released immediately and subsequent installments arriving weekly on Tuesdays.

Glen Powell collaborated on the pilot script alongside writer Michael Waldron, known for his work on Loki. Former NFL players and brothers Eli and Peyton Manning are executive producers, bringing authenticity and insight to the football-centered narrative.

How Chad Powers Appeals to Fans Waiting for Ted Lasso Season Four

The new series taps into the space that Ted Lasso left open for viewers craving character-driven sports comedy with heart. Though it shares a backdrop of college football and lightheartedness, Chad Powers distinguishes itself by focusing more intensely on the flawed protagonist’s internal struggle and path to self-discovery rather than an ensemble team journey. Russ Holliday’s effort to hide behind a fabricated identity injects both comedic situations—accentuated by prosthetic disguises—and dramatic tension as he navigates the fallout of past mistakes.

Glen Powell
Image of: Glen Powell

This emphasis on personal redemption creates a more complex narrative that contrasts with Ted Lasso’s primarily optimistic and team-oriented storyline. Instead of uplifting an entire team, the spotlight remains tightly on Russ’s turbulent comeback attempt, balancing sharp humor with a darker, more uneasy undertone as he confronts his flawed nature and questionable choices.

The immediate availability of the first two episodes on Hulu allows viewers to dive right into this compelling mix of second chances and sports culture while eagerly anticipating new releases each week.

The Creative Team Behind the Series

Glen Powell, beyond leading the cast, helped shape the pilot’s screenplay together with Michael Waldron. This collaboration combines Powell’s insight as an actor with Waldron’s storytelling prowess, famed for incorporating intricate character arcs and emotional depth, as demonstrated in his previous work on Loki. The Mannings’ involvement as executive producers further grounds the series in genuine football experience, reflecting their real-life expertise and reputations.

The supporting ensemble, including established actors like Steve Zahn and Toby Huss, rounds out the cast, adding layers to the story’s exploration of identity, ego, and perseverance within the collegiate sports arena.

Why Chad Powers Matters in the Current TV Landscape

With fans anxiously awaiting the fourth season of Ted Lasso, a show that has set a high bar for sports comedies with warmth and wit, Chad Powers offers a timely alternative that mixes comedy with a heavier, more complicated emotional journey. This approach may resonate with viewers who appreciate character complexity alongside the levity inherent in sports-centered stories.

Moreover, the series reflects Hulu’s strategy to capture audiences hungry for fresh, engaging content that blends humor, drama, and sports culture, distinguishing itself from the mainstream offerings of other platforms like Apple TV+ and Netflix.

As the episodes continue to roll out weekly, Chad Powers will likely maintain momentum by expanding on Russ Holliday’s quest for redemption, exploring themes of identity, consequences, and resilience, which are particularly poignant in a culture saturated with second chances and the desire to reinvent oneself.

The release also highlights Glen Powell’s growing influence in television, extending his reach beyond film and into serialized storytelling that challenges both his acting range and creative input.

Ultimately, Chad Powers stands as a promising addition for those eager to engage with a fresh sports comedy that does not shy away from darker, more conflicted emotional territory, setting up an intense and uneasy but compelling narrative well suited to the current mood of viewers.