The new Hulu series Chad Powers launched on September 30, 2025, turning heads with its blend of football antics and sharp comedy. Inspired by a viral 2022 sketch from Eli Manning, the show follows disgraced quarterback Russ Holliday—played by Glen Powell—who disguises himself as the mustachioed Chad Powers to join a struggling college team. It's a quick pivot from Manning's undercover Penn State tryout gag, now expanded into a full-fledged sitcom that feels both rowdy and oddly relatable.
Powell, fresh off his Twisters buzz, anchors the chaos as the arrogant yet redeemable Holliday. But it's Perry Mattfeld who steals early buzz as Ricky, the team's tough-as-nails wide receiver with a hidden soft side. Mattfeld, known from Shameless and In the Dark, brings a gritty edge honed by her own football ties—her family's deep in the sport, making her casting feel almost predestined. Indeed, in recent interviews, she's called it her dream role, weaving personal passion into the gridiron hijinks. The ensemble rounds out with Steve Zahn as the beleaguered coach, Toby Huss adding comic bite, and a roster including Clayne Crawford, Wynn Everett, and up-and-comers like Frankie A. Rodriguez and Quentin Plair.
Eli Manning, the NFL legend behind the original sketch, serves as executive producer alongside brother Peyton through their Omaha Productions. Their touch infuses authentic football flavor without overwhelming the laughs—Manning even pops up in a cameo that nods to the sketch's roots. However, the series isn't just nostalgia bait; it skewers college sports' underbelly, from recruitment scandals to identity facades, all while keeping the pace brisk across its eight-episode run. Critics note the show's uneven tone in spots, but Powell's charisma and Mattfeld's breakout performance carry it forward.
Moreover, with two episodes dropping at premiere and weekly releases through November, Chad Powers taps into football season's fever. Yet beneath the disguises and touchdowns, it probes what happens when second chances collide with self-inflicted messes. One wonders if this underdog tale will score big or fumble the hype.