Chad Powers – Season 1 (2025)
Disgraced star quarterback Russ Holliday saw his career end after a catastrophic mistake. He seeks a second chance by transforming into the oddball walk-on, “Chad Powers,” complete with prosthetics and a blonde wig. Russ joins the struggling South Georgia Catfish football team, forced to live a double life while trying to earn redemption and hide his scandalous past from a suspicious coach and his intriguing assistant.
Length: 3h0m
Genre: Comedy, Sports
This Title is: A Redemption Comedy
Cast
Glen Powell, Steve Zahn, Perry Mattfeld, Quentin Plair, Frankie A. Rodriguez
Parental Guidance
Maturity Rating: TV-MA – Language, Sexual References, and Underage Drinking Themes
FAQ
- Is Chad Powers – Season 1 (2025) Based on a True Story?: No, but the show is directly inspired by a viral 2022 skit where Eli Manning went undercover as “Chad Powers” at a Penn State football tryout.
- Where was Chad Powers – Season 1 (2025) filmed?: The series was primarily filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, utilizing local college football settings for the South Georgia Catfish program.
- Who Wrote the Soundtrack?: Natalie Holt, known for her work on *Loki*, composed the score for the series.
Filmmaker Profile
Co-creator and star Glen Powell, alongside Michael Waldron, anchors this show. Waldron, known for crafting complex, high-concept comedy, and director Tony Yacenda ensure the series maintains both the wild absurdity of the premise and a grounded, emotionally honest look at second chances in college sports.
Why It’s Worth Watching
The series successfully balances high-concept absurdity with the authentic grit of college football. Its winning blend of heart and humor, driven by a hilarious central disguise and an underdog team story, is instantly enjoyable. The cast chemistry, particularly Glen Powell’s dedicated physical transformation, provides a consistent source of laughs and genuine feeling.
Main Character Deep Dive
Russ Holliday’s journey is one of necessary humility. He starts as an arrogant celebrity trying to game the system, but the Chad Powers persona forces him to earn success the hard way. Glen Powell excels at portraying this internal conflict, with the star’s frustration constantly bubbling beneath the oddball alter ego. This exceptional performance captures the pain of lost identity and the slow, difficult path to becoming a better man.
Unforgettable Quote
“Think fast, run fast.”
Trivia
- NFL Hall of Fame quarterback Eli Manning, who created the original Chad Powers character, is an executive producer on the series along with his brother, Peyton Manning.
- The main character, Russ Holliday, is disguised using movie-grade prosthetics, including a rubber nose and cheek filler, which took hours for actor Glen Powell to apply.
- The fictional team, the South Georgia Catfish, played against real-life college teams, with scenes being filmed during actual football games at major universities.
Trailer
Streaming Link
Stream Chad Powers – Season 1 (2025) on:
Our Review
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I found this series to be an absolute touchdown of sports comedy. From the very first episode, the pacing is sharp and the jokes land with effortless precision. Glen Powell is spectacular, fully committing to the bizarre physical comedy required to bring Chad Powers to life while giving Russ Holliday a truly believable arc of redemption. The supporting cast, especially Steve Zahn as the skeptical coach and Perry Mattfeld as the keen-eyed assistant, are phenomenal, creating a fully realized world around the central gimmick. The show masters the art of the half-hour format, leaving you desperately wanting more after each installment. What truly elevates this project is its unexpected sincerity. Beneath the ridiculous wigs and fake mustaches, there is a beating heart—a story that celebrates the true spirit of teamwork and the underdog striving for a much-needed second shot. It’s funny, smart, and genuinely moving in all the right places.
Who Should Watch This?
Stream it if you love sharp, high-concept sports comedies like *Ted Lasso* and want to watch a star actor fully embrace a bizarre, hilarious character seeking a second shot at glory.
