The first season of Hulu‘s football comedy Chad Powers has wrapped up, but the story is far from over. The six-episode season ended with a major cliffhanger that left the future of Glen Powell’s character and the entire South Georgia Catfish team up in the air. While Hulu has not yet officially confirmed a second season, the show’s creators have a clear plan for the story, and fans are left with several pressing questions that only a new season can answer.
The Cliffhanger Ending of Season 1
The Season 1 finale, titled “6th Quarter,” concluded with quarterback Russ Holliday trapped in his own lie. His disguise as the charming Chad Powers was uncovered by Coach Hudson’s daughter, Ricky, after he used his own Cybertruck to drive her and her hospitalized father. In a tense confrontation on the team bus, Ricky reacted with fury upon learning the truth, leading to a painful exchange where she told Russ she wished he had killed himself after his infamous Rose Bowl failure.
Faced with exposure, Russ dropped his nice-guy act and threatened Ricky with mutually assured destruction. He warned her that if she reveals his secret, all the team’s wins would be vacated, the season would be over, and her father would be the one to take the fall for the scandal. With no good options, a seething Ricky was forced into a silent alliance, replying, “I hate you,” as they walked out to lead the team against the Georgia Bulldogs. The season ended without showing the game’s outcome, leaving every character in limbo.
5 Burning Questions for a Potential Season 2
What Is the Fallout from Ricky’s Discovery?
The most immediate question is how Ricky and Russ will navigate their forced partnership. Ricky is now an unwilling accomplice to Russ’s deception. Showrunner Michael Waldron has confirmed that exploring this new dynamic is a key goal for a second season. He stated that Season 2 would center on “Ricky being involved in Russ Holliday’s ruse. So it’s her, Russ, and Danny pulling off Chad Powers. And that’s a whole new, really fun dynamic.” The big question is whether their alliance will hold or if the resentment will cause it to crumble.
Can Russ and Ricky’s Relationship Be Repaired?
The relationship between Russ and Ricky reached a devastating low in the finale. Ricky’s cruel words were designed to hurt Russ as deeply as possible, speaking to the real and dark thoughts athletes can face after public failure. Waldron acknowledged the severity of the moment, calling it a “fun thing worth thinking about with Season 2 is how, if ever, could they come back from that.” Any potential romantic comedy element between the two characters now has a massive obstacle to overcome.
Do the Catfish Beat Georgia and What Happens to the Team?
The first season literally ended on the field just as the big game against the Georgia Bulldogs was beginning. Fans are left not knowing if the Catfish won or lost this crucial matchup. The outcome of this game dictates the team’s entire season and future. Furthermore, with Coach Hudson recovering from a heart attack, the team’s leadership is on shaky ground. His ability to return to coaching and how the team performs without his full presence is a major unresolved plot point.
How Long Can the Chad Powers Lie Last?
With Ricky now aware of the secret, the risk of exposure has multiplied. The show’s creator has cited Breaking Bad as a model, meaning the lie will have real and escalating consequences. Waldron teased that a second season “would certainly be about the forces of evil as they might be closing in on our heroes. The more success Chad has, the more threats Russ faces.” This suggests that other characters could come dangerously close to uncovering the truth, putting increasing pressure on Russ, Danny, and now Ricky.
Will We Learn More About Russ’s Past and His Mother?
In a heartfelt scene with his father, Russ revealed that his mother had passed away and that his dad hadn’t seen him truly smile since before her death. This provided crucial insight into what shaped the cynical Russ Holliday. While Waldron noted he is not a big fan of flashbacks, he did not rule out exploring this history further, saying, “I do think it’d be interesting to learn more about her.” This backstory could be a key piece of connective tissue, especially since Ricky also lost her mother.
What the Show’s Creators Say About the Future
The creative team behind Chad Powers has a clear vision for the show’s future. Michael Waldron has publicly stated that the ideal plan is to tell the story over three seasons, following the team through one full college football season. He explained, “Take the Catfish through this full football season.” This three-season plan suggests a carefully plotted character arc for Russ Holliday.
Michael Waldron told The Hollywood Reporter, “The plan that we’ve always had in our minds is, ‘Let’s run this thing through one football season.’ How long is that? It’s at least three seasons of TV. So that’s what I have in my head. I want to see if he can take the Catfish all the way.”
Both Waldron and star Glen Powell have expressed their strong desire to continue the story. Powell has assured fans that he will “always make time” in his filming schedule to return for a second season. While the official renewal is pending, if the show is picked up, fans can expect a potential release window around October 2026.
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