The new TV series Chad Powers, starring Glen Powell, might seem like a wild fictional comedy, but it actually started with a real-life stunt by football star Eli Manning. The show, which begins on September 30, 2025, on Hulu, expands a viral moment from Manning’s documentary series into a full story about second chances.
In 2022, Manning disguised himself with a wig and prosthetics to try out for a college football team under the fake name “Chad Powers.” This prank, meant to be a one-time joke, caught the attention of Hollywood and has now been turned into a six-episode sports comedy. The show follows a disgraced quarterback who uses a similar disguise to restart his career, blending football action with humorous situations.
Where the Idea Came From
The direct inspiration for the show comes from an episode of Eli’s Places, a documentary series on ESPN+ featuring Eli Manning. In the second season, which aired in 2022, Manning decided to experience the pressure of trying out for a college football team as an unknown player.
He used makeup, a wig, and a false name to become “Chad Powers,” a quirky and confident walk-on candidate at Penn State University. Manning’s performance was so convincing that he managed to surprise the real coaches and players at the tryout before finally revealing his true identity. The segment was a hit with fans and quickly spread online, proving the concept had a wider appeal.
Glen Powell and co-creator Michael Waldron saw the potential in this idea. They decided to build a longer story around the simple prank, focusing on what would happen if a player had to maintain such a lie. Powell explained their thinking, saying:
“What made Eli’s thing so magical is the viewer knew Eli Manning was under [the disguise]. So, let’s use the lie at the center of this thing, which creates inherent fun conflict over the course of the series.”
The creators have pointed to classic disguise comedies like Mrs. Doubtfire and Tootsie as their main inspirations for the series, rather than typical sports movies.
From a Short Sketch to a Full TV Series
The character of Chad Powers was created for entertainment, not from a true story of a real person. The original segment on Eli’s Places was an unscripted, fun experiment. The new Hulu show takes that seed of an idea and grows it into a complete narrative.
The series follows Russ Holliday (played by Glen Powell), a college football quarterback whose career ends suddenly after a major mistake during a championship game. Eight years later, still passionate about the sport, he sees an opportunity for a comeback. He creates an alter ego, “Chad Powers,” complete with a mullet, fake teeth, and a new personality, to try out for a struggling Southern team called the South Georgia Catfish.
The show is a comedy, but it also explores themes of redemption, identity, and the love of the game. As co-creator Michael Waldron described, they wanted Russ to be a modern character who is flawed but still likable. The challenge of keeping up the lie while proving his talent on the field creates both funny and tense moments.
Eli Manning is not just the inspiration; he is also involved behind the scenes as an executive producer on the project. The creators have also hinted that Manning will make a special cameo appearance in the show. Waldron mentioned, “It’d be hard to do the show based on Eli’s sketch without having Eli in it.”
When to Watch Chad Powers
Chad Powers is scheduled to premiere on Hulu on September 30, 2025. The first two episodes will be available on that day, with the remaining four episodes released weekly every Tuesday. The season finale is set for October 28, 2025.
The show features a strong supporting cast, including Steve Zahn as the team’s head coach and Perry Mattfeld as his daughter, an assistant coach.
Also Read: Chad Powers Season 1: Everything You Need to Know About Glen Powell’s New Football Comedy
Credits: imdb.com, themarysue.com
