Glen Powell’s game face is back on in Season 2 of Hulu’s hit series, Chad Powers, which premiered in full on Thursday, September 3. Season 1 of the sports comedy — co-created by Powell and Michael Waldron, and inspired by Eli Manning’s viral 2022 hidden-camera prank — showed disgraced quarterback Russ Holliday (Powell) donning Hollywood-level facial prosthetics and a wig, changing his voice, inventing an elaborate backstory, and walking onto college football tryouts as a new man: Chad Powers. When Chad became the South Georgia Catfish’s starting QB, Russ got a second chance to relive his dreams. But in a nightmarish twist, Coach Hudson’s (Steve Zahn) daughter, Ricky (Perry Mattfeld), uncovered his big secret in Season 1’s finale. So will Chad’s mask fall for good in Season 2? Or will Ricky become his latest co-conspirator and help him and the team make the college football playoffs?
CHAD POWERS SEASON 2: STREAM IT OR SKIP IT?
Opening Shot: After a handy Season 1 recap, Chad Powers Season 2 opens with a shot of Chad’s facial prosthetics and wigs hanging in his basement/Batcave. As the QB descends the staircase and prepares to get in disguise, When In Rome’s “The Promise” plays to set the mood.
The Gist: Season 2 picks up roughly two weeks after Chad and the Catfish beat rival Georgia at Sanford Stadium, Coach Hudson suffered a heart attack, and Chad and Ricky had their big blowout on the team’s bus. Much to Ricky’s dismay, Chad is a bigger star than ever. And though it’s been smooth sailing for the starting QB since Season 1’s finale, the premiere finds him suffering an unexpected injury and a prosthetic nose emergency (a “Pinnocchio”) mid-game. Amidst growing suspicions, Ricky reluctantly teams up with Danny (Frankie A. Rodriguez) to keep the ruse going for the good of the team, her own career, and crucially, her recovering dad. With careers on the line, booster boss Tricia Yeager (Wynn Everett) hungry for more wins, and backup QB Gerry (Colton Ryan) looking to take Chad down, the stakes have never been higher.
What Shows Will It Remind You Of? Chad Powers has a similar origin story as Ted Lasso, and a familiar inspirational sports vibe as the Emmy-winning comedy and fellow Apple TV series Stick. With all the lies and the dual identity, I’ve also referred to the Hulu hit as “football Hannah Montana” on occasion, and it’s also worth shouting out a few inspirations cited by creators, like Mrs. Doubtfire and Jerry Maguire.
Our Take: If you loved Chad Powers Season 1, you’ll love Season 2! And if you took a while to warm up to the series, the sophomore season will pleasantly surprise you. It’s funnier, more earnest, and less farcical in all the best ways. Without worldbuilding and character introductions to worry about, the series digs deeper into delicious character dynamics, from heartfelt explorations of Ricky and Coach Hudson’s father/daughter relationship to Ricky, Danny, and Chad’s hilarious new alliance. Though Powell excels at embodying his character’s goofy, wholesome, socially awkward alter ego, Season 2 benefits from giving him more screen time as Russ. In dropping the disguise, Powell impressively flexes his dramatic chops, giving glimmers of the growth that transpired over two seasons and making viewers root for his happy ending.
Season 2 also shines because supporting Season 1 characters get much meatier roles. As Coach Hudson prematurely returns to the field with a secret of his own, he confronts his own mortality and legacy with a standout Episode 3 performance from the great Steve Zahn. Everett and Tricia steal scenes as Chad Powers’ comedy queens. And though Gerry is backup QB, Ryan demands the spotlight, exuding cursed main character energy as his jealousy over Chad’s flourishing career fuels a hilarious and horrifying revenge plot. In line with Season 1, Season 2’s final two episodes absolutely change the game. This time around, the show transforms into a gripping comedic thriller with the vibes of Powell’s former Chad show, Scream Queens. Throughout Season 2’s six episodes, as Chad/Russ and Ricky navigate their complex feelings for each other, Chad Powers skillfully embraces and builds on its rom-com roots. Simply put, the show’s writers and stars understand the power of a world-altering crush. Powell and Mattfeld portray 10/10 yearners, delivering swoonworthy performances with palpable chemistry and ubiquitous romantic tension. And when handsome, wealthy Catfish alum Jay Palmer (Colin Woodell) sets his sights on Ricky, the one-of-a-kind situationship gets even more complex.
When the end credits roll on Chad Powers’ breezy six-episode season, you’ll have seen it all. Comedy. Drama. Romance. Horror. And quality sports scenes to boot! The exploration of how far Chad and his accomplices will go to avoid revealing the QB’s true identity, and the consequences of those actions, ends with several new jaw-dropping twists that build excellent Season 3 momentum.
Performance Worth Watching: Wynn Everett deserves a special shoutout for taking Tricia to the next level. But it’s Gerry’s season; we’re just watching it. Colton Ryan is a star, and I lost track of how many times his unhinged performance made me laugh out loud.
Parting Shot: As the team celebrates a win, cheering for MVP Chad Powers, the camera finds Gerry, who’s furiously sketching a picture of himself slicing Chad’s head off with a sword. Before “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” returns, menacing music swells, teasing Season 2’s battle of the QBs.
Our Call: STREAM IT. Chad Powers seriously stepped up its game in Season 2. The genre-bending comedy strikes a brilliant balance between character development and football. With big laughs, heartfelt moments, and captivating performances from Powell and the cast, Season 2 is a touchdown.