Glen Powell’s “Chad Powers” Aims for Stardom – With a Side of Taylor Swift

Glen Powell’s latest venture on Hulu, “Chad Powers,” introduces audiences to a tenacious character pursuing his dreams of football glory. However, behind the scenes, Powell and co-star Perry Mattfield are humorously eyeing a high-profile guest star for a potential Season 2 – none other than Taylor Swift.

“I’m working my way to her,” joked Mattfield, who takes on the role of the show’s dedicated female coach. During a recent discussion moderated by Variety‘s senior entertainment writer Angelique Jackson, she expressed hope that Swift would catch wind of their series, particularly given her newfound connection to the NFL through Travis Kelce. “We’ll make sure she sees the series, and she’ll get it. I’m hoping because of Travis, she’ll watch, and then we’ll connect and talk offense,” she quipped.

Powell quickly chimed in with excitement, stating, “You already got me thinking about Season 2 cameos. T-Swift comin’ in hot,” hinting at the potential for Swift to pay a visit to the show’s Georgia filming location.

About “Chad Powers”

The storyline of “Chad Powers” revolves around Russ Holliday, played by Powell, a college football quarterback seeking redemption after a disastrous championship game scandal tarnished his reputation. Years later, he adopts the alter ego of Chad Powers, a quirky character who manages to reinvent himself and potentially save a struggling football team, all while keeping his true identity under wraps.

“Chad Powers” is a brainchild of Powell and writer Michael Waldron, inspired by Eli Manning’s ESPN+ series “Eli’s Places.” The show features Manning himself, who, alongside his brother and NFL Hall of Famer Peyton Manning, serves as an executive producer. Eli’s original concept included a memorable segment where he donned a prosthetic mask to go undercover at Penn State’s walk-on tryouts, hilariously introducing the world to “Chad Powers.”

The Craft Behind the Comedy

Additional cast member Quentin Blair, who portrays Coach Byrd, discussed the fusion of sports and entertainment, remarking, “Glen said football and the industry in particular don’t go together too often. Some of my favorite movies are always sports films, and they bring a unique blend of heart, humor, pain, and triumph.” Blair’s character was crafted from a mix of beloved coach archetypes, each resonating through his performance.

Powell emphasized the importance of crew chemistry, stating, “The only way this show works is that every single cast member has to be grounded in reality. We assembled an incredible ensemble that not only delivers laughs but firmly roots the comedy in authenticity. If anyone is out of sync tonally, the entire project stumbles.”

Release Details

Fans of Powell’s comedic talents can look forward to the premiere of the first two episodes of “Chad Powers” on September 30, with subsequent episodes releasing weekly. It promises to be a wild ride into the absurd yet heartfelt world of college football.