Actor Steve Zahn has given fans a small but exciting hint about what is coming in the second season of Hulu’s hit comedy Chad Powers. While talking about his new film, Zahn shared his thoughts on the new scripts and used one word to describe the show’s next chapter.
Chad Powers stars Glen Powell as Russ Holliday, a disgraced former college football quarterback who tries to save his career. He does this by creating a fake identity—complete with a prosthetic nose and a new name, Chad Powers—to join a struggling team in South Georgia. The show’s first season ended with several cliffhangers, leaving the story wide open for season two.
Hulu officially announced the renewal for Chad Powers Season 2 in early December 2025. Production on the new season is scheduled to start in early 2026.
Steve Zahn’s “Microscopic” Tease for New Episodes
In a recent interview, Steve Zahn, who plays Coach Jake Hudson, was asked about the upcoming season. He revealed he has already read two of the new scripts. When pressed for details, the actor chose a very specific word to describe the direction of the story.
“I’ve read two scripts. It gets really microscopic. It’s really cool cause everybody’s in on it now, so an episode might be 4 hours of real time in a half hour. It’s really fun.”
His choice of the word “microscopic” suggests the new season will focus intensely on details and character moments. The idea of packing “four hours of real time” into a standard half-hour episode points to a tight, fast-paced, and possibly more tense style of storytelling. This shift makes sense, as the secret that drove the first season—Chad’s true identity—is now out to key characters, changing the dynamics completely.
Where Season 1 Ended and Season 2 Begins
To understand where the story is going, it helps to look at where it left off. The Season 1 finale ended on the brink of the National Championship game, with the outcome never shown. More importantly, the episode resolved a major season-long mystery.
Coach Ricky Hudson discovered that Chad Powers is actually Russ Holliday. However, instead of exposing him immediately, she agreed to keep his secret. Russ convinced her by threatening that if his identity came out, he would use his connections to ruin the career of her father, Coach Jake Hudson. This set up a tense, reluctant partnership moving forward.
The finale also featured a medical emergency. Zahn’s character, Coach Jake Hudson, suffered a heart attack. Russ was the one who drove him to the hospital, an act of kindness that ultimately helped Ricky figure out his true identity. This event will likely have a major impact on Jake’s health and his relationship with his daughter in the new season.
Returning Cast and Character Arcs to Watch
The main cast from the first season is set to return for this next chapter. This includes Glen Powell as Russ/Chad, Perry Mattfeld as Ricky, and Steve Zahn as Coach Hudson. Other returning team members include Quentin Plair as Coach Byrd, Wynn Everett as Tricia Yeager, and Frankie A. Rodriguez as Danny the mascot.
Frankie A. Rodriguez shared the cast’s excitement about returning to the story, especially after the dramatic cliffhanger.
“I’m so excited to see where these characters go. We left off on a huge cliffhanger at the end of season one, so I think myself and everybody who loved and watched the show are very anxious to see what happens next.”
With Russ’s secret in the open, the show can explore new territory. The focus may shift from “will he get caught?” to how these relationships function now that several people are living a lie together. This could mean more screen time and development for supporting characters like Ricky, who is much more than just a love interest, and her father Jake.
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What to Expect from the New Season’s Story
While specific plot details are under wraps, the foundation laid by the finale and Zahn’s tease give us clues. The new season will have to address the immediate aftermath of the championship game and its results. It will also deal with the fragile, secret-keeping alliance between Russ and Ricky.
Furthermore, the health scare for Coach Hudson will be a significant factor. His “aw-shucks” attitude might be tested as he faces serious personal challenges, including his recovery and the state of his marriage. The show has balanced humor and heart from the start, and this storyline offers a chance to add more depth to Zahn’s character.
The “microscopic” approach that Zahn mentioned could mean the show slows down to examine these complex emotional and relational dynamics in a more detailed way, even as the on-field action continues.
The first season of Chad Powers is available to stream in full on Hulu. Fans in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and other global markets can watch it through the Hulu platform or via the Hulu on Disney+ bundle where available. The second season is expected to premiere on Hulu later in 2026.
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