Hulu’s offbeat sports comedy Chad Powers is officially coming back for another round. The streaming platform announced on Wednesday that it has renewed the Glen Powell-led series for a second season, following strong audience engagement and impressive streaming numbers.
The show, inspired by a viral Eli’s Places segment on ESPN, stars Glen Powell as Russ Holliday, a fallen college football star who disguises himself as the eccentric “Chad Powers” to secretly return to the game. The show’s first season quickly became a sleeper hit, topping the Hulu and Disney+ streaming charts upon release and earning an 85% audience approval rating, despite a modest 57% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes.
Now, fans will see what’s next for Chad, as Season 1 ended on a major cliffhanger: the revelation of his true identity to Ricky, the team’s offensive coordinator and daughter of the head coach.
Overview: Chad Powers at a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Series Title | Chad Powers |
| Platform | Hulu / Disney+ |
| Genre | Sports Comedy, Drama |
| Creators | Glen Powell & Michael Waldron |
| Producers | Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Glen Powell |
| Based On | ESPN’s Eli’s Places segment |
| Season 1 Premiere | 2024 |
| Season 2 Status | Renewed (Release Date TBA) |
| Lead Actor | Glen Powell as Russ Holliday / Chad Powers |
| Audience Rating | 85% (Popcornmeter) |
| Critic Score | 57% (Rotten Tomatoes) |
| Filming Locations | Georgia and Los Angeles |
Glen Powell Scores Again — From Top Gun to Touchdown
Riding high from his star-making turns in Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You, Glen Powell has found yet another vehicle that showcases his charm, comedic timing, and everyman appeal.
As Russ Holliday, a once-promising quarterback whose career implodes after a scandal, Powell dons prosthetics and a mullet to become Chad Powers, a fictional walk-on for the struggling South Georgia Catfish. His performance, both ridiculous and heartfelt, has earned praise from fans and even from the real-life Mannings.
“I said, let’s Mrs. Doubtfire this s**t,” Powell told Entertainment Weekly. “Let’s take something crazy and make it completely sincere. This has been the most fun I’ve ever had doing anything.”
Entertainment critic Leah Morgan noted:
“Glen Powell’s transformation from heartthrob to hilarious everyman proves he’s more than a movie star — he’s a bona fide comedic force.”
The Inspiration: From Eli Manning’s Viral Disguise to TV Comedy
Chad Powers began as a gag in Eli’s Places, an ESPN+ documentary series where former NFL quarterback Eli Manning explored college football culture. In one episode, Manning donned prosthetics and a wig to attend Penn State’s walk-on tryouts undercover, introducing himself as “Chad Powers.”
The bit went viral, inspiring Powell and Loki creator Michael Waldron to turn it into a scripted series. Manning joined as an executive producer, alongside his brother Peyton Manning, under their Omaha Productions banner.
Waldron described the show’s deeper message:
“Chad Powers isn’t just about football. It’s about flawed people who wear a mask to rediscover who they really are.”
Season 1 Recap: Identity, Redemption, and a Major Reveal
Season 1 followed Holliday’s journey as he reinvented himself as “Chad Powers”, a quirky, homespun quarterback with more passion than polish. Joining the struggling South Georgia Catfish, he earned respect through sheer determination while hiding his true identity from teammates and coaches.
The finale ended on a cliffhanger when Ricky (played by Perry Mattfeld) discovered Holliday’s secret. As the offensive coordinator and daughter of head coach Coach Hudson (Steve Zahn), Ricky’s reaction set the stage for Season 2’s dramatic fallout.
Coach Hudson’s fiery persona, paired with Chad’s goofy earnestness, became one of the season’s comedic highlights. Zahn’s chemistry with Powell drew comparisons to Ted Lasso’s mentor dynamics, albeit with a Southern twist.
Season 2: What We Know So Far?
While Hulu hasn’t revealed a release date, production is expected to begin in mid-2025, with a possible 2026 premiere window.
According to early reports, Season 2 will continue Russ Holliday’s double life — but with higher stakes. With Ricky aware of his secret, the tension between love, loyalty, and deception will take center stage.
Co-creator Michael Waldron teased that the new season will deepen the show’s themes:
“Season 1 was about disguise. Season 2 is about exposure — what happens when the mask comes off, and people have to deal with who you really are.”
Industry insider Riley Forrester added:
“Expect more humor, more football, and surprisingly heartfelt moments. Chad Powers has found its stride.”
Supporting Cast Shines
Chad Powers features a strong ensemble that adds texture and wit to the series’ sports-meets-comedy world:
| Actor | Character | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Perry Mattfeld | Ricky | Offensive coordinator and Holliday’s love interest |
| Quentin Plair | Coach Byrd | Assistant coach with a soft spot for Chad |
| Steve Zahn | Coach Jake Hudson | Gruff but lovable head coach |
| Frankie A. Rodriguez | Danny | Teammate who suspects something’s off |
| Wynn Everett | Tricia Yeager | Reporter covering the Catfish’s revival |
| Glen Powell | Russ Holliday / Chad Powers | Disgraced QB with a second chance |
Zahn’s comedic grit and Mattfeld’s grounded emotionality were particularly praised. Critics noted that the show’s humor works best when balancing absurdity with real vulnerability.
Television reviewer Grant Allen commented:
“It’s a sports show that doesn’t take sports too seriously — it’s about the people underneath the helmets.”
Why Chad Powers Connected with Audiences?
Despite lukewarm critic reviews, Chad Powers resonated with audiences for its feel-good energy and clever premise. Fans praised it for being “refreshingly earnest” and “funny without cruelty.”
Its success mirrors other underdog comedies like Ted Lasso, Eastbound & Down, and The Righteous Gemstones, combining satire with sincerity.
Streaming data from Hulu showed that the show ranked #1 on Hulu’s Top 10 list for two consecutive weeks, proving that word-of-mouth, not critical consensus, fueled its rise.
Sports columnist Jared Whitman observed:
“Chad Powers hit a sweet spot: nostalgic sports humor mixed with emotional redemption. It’s Tootsie meets Bull Durham with a southern twang.”
Creative Influences: Sports Meets Disguise Comedy
Michael Waldron revealed that Chad Powers drew inspiration from classic comedies about hidden identities and transformation.
“We looked at Mrs Doubtfire and Tootsie,” he said. “Both are about people pretending to be someone else to rediscover what really matters.”
This thematic throughline disguises a leading to the truth that gives Chad Powers emotional depth beneath its broad humour. The prosthetics, fake accent, and exaggerated persona serve as metaphors for second chances and self-forgiveness.
Critical Reception vs. Fan Love
| Metric | Season 1 Result |
|---|---|
| Rotten Tomatoes (Critics) | 57% |
| Rotten Tomatoes (Audience) | 85% |
| IMDb Rating | 7.8/10 |
| Hulu Top 10 Debut | #1 (2 weeks) |
| Episode Count | 6 |
| Renewal Status | Confirmed for Season 2 |
While critics found the series “uneven,” audiences praised its “heart and hilarity.” Powell’s performance was singled out for its balance of slapstick and sincerity.
The Future of Chad Powers
With Season 2 confirmed, Hulu seems committed to expanding Chad Powers into a flagship comedy. Insiders suggest that the show may even explore crossover opportunities with Omaha Productions’ other projects, including sports documentaries and fictional spinoffs.
Executive producer Eli Manning expressed his excitement about continuing the story:
“Chad Powers started as a joke, but it became something real. It’s about not giving up on yourself — and I think that’s why people love it.”
FAQs
No, but it’s inspired by Eli Manning’s viral ESPN segment where he disguised himself to attend college football tryouts.
No date yet, but production is expected to start in 2025 with a likely 2026 release.
The series was co-created by Glen Powell and Michael Waldron, with Eli and Peyton Manning as executive producers.
All six episodes of Chad Powers Season 1 are streaming on Hulu.
Yes, Season 2 will explore the fallout of Ricky discovering Russ’s true identity.
