When Glen Powell, actor, co‑creator and executive producer unveiled his new series Chad Powers on Hulu on September 30, 2025, the streaming world got a surprise dose of college‑football‑centric comedy that hadn’t existed on TV before.
The show drops two episodes at launch, with fresh installments arriving every Tuesday. It follows the fall from grace of Russ Holliday — a once‑arrogant quarterback whose career imploded after a disastrous championship performance — as he reinvents himself as the quirky “Chad Powers” to chase a second chance with the floundering South Georgia Catfish football team.
A Fresh Take on College Football on Screen
College football has long been a gold‑mine for live broadcasts, but scripted series that genuinely capture the sport’s culture are rare. Powell says he spotted that void while scrolling through old game clips, noting, “We aimed for this to be a visually striking and exhilarating football series that anyone who loves the game, or even those just curious about it, would watch and think, ‘Wow, this feels authentic.’” The premise itself grew from an Omaha Productions skit conceived by former NFL star Eli Manning, which had gone viral for its over‑the‑top take on identity swaps in sport.
How the Story of Russ Holliday Unfolds
Eight years after the infamous blunder that ruined his college career, Holliday (played by Powell) discovers an unlikely loophole: with the help of prosthetic limbs and a meticulously crafted wig, he can masquerade as the fictional “Chad Powers,” a talented yet eccentric player who never existed on paper. The disguise lands him a roster spot with the South Georgia Catfish, a Division‑II program that has been scraping the bottom of the standings for seasons.
Coach Jake Hudson — portrayed by Steve Zahn — is a grizzled former player who sees a spark in the new recruit, while his daughter, assistant coach Ricky Hudson (Perry Mattfeld), is suspicious of the newcomer’s sudden rise. The tension between the coaching staff, the booster‑trust chair Tricia (Wynn Everett), and the rest of the team fuels the comedy, delivering a steady stream of locker‑room banter and on‑field mishaps.
Behind the Scenes: Prosthetics, Wig, and Tom Cruise’s Help
Creating a believable “new” quarterback required more than makeup. Powell revealed in a Reuters interview that his longtime friend Tom Cruise lent a hand — literally — by consulting on the prosthetic limbs used in several key scenes. “Tom was in the studio for a day, showing us how to get the weight and movement right,” Powell said. The prosthetics were engineered by a boutique studio in Los Angeles that specializes in sports‑related gear, ensuring that the on‑field runs looked authentic rather than cartoonish.
The wig, a nod to classic identity‑swap tropes, was designed to hide Powell’s distinct hairline while still allowing him to look like a believable college athlete. Production designer Michael Waldron — also co‑creator and writer — oversaw the transformation, borrowing techniques from theater productions that rely on quick changes.
Cast and Characters Bring the Comedy to Life
Beyond the lead, the series boasts an ensemble that feels ripped straight from a mid‑size college town. Quentin Plair plays Coach Byrd, the gruff defensive coordinator who delivers dead‑pan one‑liners. Frankie A. Rodriguez appears as Danny, the wide‑receiver with a penchant for conspiracy theories, while Haliey Welch pops in as herself, adding a meta‑layer of celebrity cameo.
Supporting characters like quarterback coach Scott Dobbs (Clayne Crawford) and the skeptical booster Rod Mason (Keese Wilson) round out a world that feels both familiar to football fans and fresh for newcomers.
Reception, Ratings, and What the Numbers Say
Within days of its debut, Chad Powers earned a 7.5/10 rating on IMDb, based on 327 user votes, 13 user reviews, and five critic write‑ups. The site lists six episodes for season one, each running roughly 30 minutes. Early streaming data from Hulu indicates that the first two episodes captured an average watch‑time of 24 minutes per user, a solid hold for a comedy‑drama hybrid.
Critics have praised the series for its “authentic football choreography” and “sharp, self‑aware humor,” though a few note that the premise teeters on the edge of implausibility. Sports analyst Mike DeBord remarked, “If you’ve ever wondered how far a disgraced athlete would go to get another shot, this show pushes that question to a hilarious extreme while still delivering real plays.”
- Premiere date: September 30, 2025
- Platform: Hulu
- Season 1 episodes: 6
- IMDb rating: 7.5/10 (327 votes)
- Release cadence: New episodes every Tuesday
What’s Next for ‘Chad Powers’?
The next episode drops on Tuesday, October 6, and promises a dramatic showdown between the Catfish and a rival team from Georgia State. Meanwhile, Powell hinted at a possible second season if viewership stays strong, noting, “We built the world for more than a single fall; there’s a whole playbook of stories waiting in the locker room.”
Beyond the series, the success could spark a wave of college‑sports‑centric scripted projects, a niche that streaming platforms have long ignored. If the numbers keep climbing, Hulu may greenlight a spin‑off focused on the booster board’s behind‑the‑scenes scheming.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does ‘Chad Powers’ differ from other sports comedies?
Unlike sitcoms that focus on professional leagues, ‘Chad Powers’ zeroes in on Division‑II college football, using prosthetic technology and a fake identity as plot devices. The combination of authentic on‑field action and a satire of small‑college athletics gives it a unique flavor.
Who are the main creative forces behind the series?
The series was created by Glen Powell and Michael Waldron, who also serve as co‑writers and executive producers. The original concept stemmed from an Omaha Productions sketch by former NFL quarterback Eli Manning.
What role did Tom Cruise play in the production?
Tom Cruise consulted on the design and movement of the prosthetic limbs used for the lead character’s disguise. Powell describes Cruise’s involvement as a hands‑on session that ensured the prosthetics looked realistic during gameplay.
When will new episodes be released?
New episodes premiere weekly on Tuesdays, with the second episode already available on September 30, 2025. The next installment arrives on October 6, 2025.
Is there potential for a second season?
Glen Powell has hinted that a second season could be on the table if viewer metrics stay strong. The show’s built‑in world of small‑college football offers ample storylines for further development.