Get ready for a hilarious and heartfelt sports comedy when “Chad Powers” premieres exclusively on Hulu on September 30, 2025. The series follows Russ Holliday, a disgraced college football quarterback whose promising career has spectacularly flamed out. Desperate for a second chance but too infamous to get a legitimate offer, he hatches an audacious plan: he creates a completely new persona. Donning a fake name, a new attitude, and a walk-on spot, Russ transforms into “Chad Powers,” a raw but talented unknown, to join a struggling southern football team and secretly revive his career from the ground up.

Leading the series is the charismatic Glen Powell, who also serves as a co-creator and executive producer, fully embodying the dual roles of Russ Holliday and his alter ego, Chad Powers. He is joined by a stellar supporting cast including Steve Zahn as a seasoned journalist and Clayne Crawford as the team’s tough-love coach. “Chad Powers” promises to deliver a perfect blend of underdog spirit, fish-out-of-water humor, and the gripping authenticity of college football, all while exploring the personal redemption of a man playing the biggest game of his life—off the field.

Chad Powers cast announced

1. Glen Powell as Chad Powers / Russ Holliday

Fresh off his superstar-making turn in Top Gun: Maverick and Anyone But You, Glen Powell headlines and helps steer the series as both Russ Holliday and his invented persona, Chad Powers. Powell’s natural charm, comedic timing, and proven aptitude for playing charismatic athletes (Everybody Wants Some!!) make him the ideal actor for this high-concept role. His portrayal of Russ will capture the desperation and vulnerability of a fallen star, while his transformation into “Chad” will showcase a swaggering, unpolished, and endearingly confident walk-on who wins over the team.

Powell’s performance is the engine of the show. He will navigate the delicate balance of a man living a lie, constantly on the verge of exposure. The audience will see the subtle cracks in the “Chad” facade as Russ’s past threatens to collide with his present. Powell’s task is to make viewers root for both personas—for Russ to find redemption and for “Chad” to succeed on the field—creating a uniquely compelling and hilarious character dynamic.

2. Steve Zahn as Jake Hudson

The beloved and versatile character actor Steve Zahn brings his unique energy to the role of Jake Hudson. Zahn, known for roles in Rescue Dawn and The White Lotus, often plays characters with a mix of wit and weariness. Jake Hudson is likely a local sports journalist or a washed-up former scout who becomes suspicious of the new walk-on’s unbelievable talent and backstory. He could be the primary antagonist to Russ’s scheme, doggedly investigating the mystery of Chad Powers.

Zahn’s character will provide a major source of external conflict and comedic tension. His pursuit of the truth will force Russ/”Chad” to be increasingly clever in maintaining his deception. Zahn’s performance will add a layer of gritty realism and humor, representing the outside world that is always closing in on Russ’s carefully constructed bubble.

3. Toby Huss as Mike Holliday

The formidable Toby Huss (Halt and Catch Fire, King of the Hill) takes on the role of Mike Holliday, Russ’s father. Huss excels at playing tough, blue-collar patriarchs with hidden depth. Mike is likely a major figure in Russ’s past—perhaps a former athlete himself who placed immense pressure on his son, contributing to his initial downfall. Their relationship will be a key emotional throughline, exploring themes of expectation, disappointment, and forgiveness.

Huss’s performance will ground the series in family drama. Mike Holliday may be initially disappointed in his son’s disgrace, unaware of his desperate second chance. His eventual discovery of Russ’s scheme, or his reaction to “Chad’s” success, will create powerful dramatic moments, forcing both father and son to confront their past and redefine what success truly means.

4. Clayne Crawford as Coach Dobbs

Clayne Crawford (Lethal Weapon, Swamp Thing) brings a intense, no-nonsense physicality to the role of Coach Dobbs. As the head coach of the struggling team, Dobbs is a man under pressure to win. He is likely a hard-nosed, traditional coach who sees raw potential in “Chad Powers” but is frustrated by his unorthodox style and lack of discipline. Crawford is perfect for portraying the tough-love authority figure who becomes a mentor.

Coach Dobbs represents the path to legitimacy that Russ so desperately craves. Their relationship will be complex, as Dobbs tries to mold “Chad” into a team player, unknowingly coaching his own disgraced quarterback back to maturity. Crawford’s presence ensures the football world feels authentic and high-stakes.

The Team and Town

The series is populated by a talented ensemble who bring the team and the southern town to life:

• Perry Mattfeld stars as Ricky, likely a love interest who is drawn to the enigmatic “Chad” without knowing his true identity.

• Wynn Everett plays Tricia, who could be a university administrator or a local with her own interests in the team.

• Colton Ryan, Frankie A. Rodriguez, and Xavier Mills play teammates Gerry, Danny, and Nishan, who will become “Chad’s” new family, each with their own personalities and roles on the struggling squad.

• Quentin Plair is Coach Byrd, another member of the coaching staff.

• Keese Wilson and Kamel Douhne round out the cast as players, adding to the authenticity of the football action and the team dynamics.

This ensemble creates the world that “Chad” must win over, providing camaraderie, rivalry, and the collective goal that will drive the season’s narrative.