The Hulu series "Chad Powers" is set to feature a strong ensemble cast, led by a massive Hollywood star and featuring veteran character actors and rising talent. The show is based on a hilarious college football tryout prank by NFL legend Eli Manning, and its cast is designed to blend comedy, drama and sports authenticity.
The series is headlined by Glen Powell, who co-created and executive-produced the show. Powell plays the dual role of Russ Holliday, a disgraced, narcissistic quarterback, and his alter ego, the titular Chad Powers -- a seemingly unassuming walk-on with elite talent.
First trailer for ‘CHAD POWERS’, a new comedy series starring Glen Powell
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) August 30, 2025
The series follows a failed college quarterback who joins a struggling Southern football team disguised as the talented Chad Powers
Releasing September 30 on Hulu. pic.twitter.com/KH34gnX8Fc
The supporting cast is anchored by veteran talents who bring grounded performances to the football world. With the first two episodes set to release on September 30, let's meet the cast that's joining Powell for season one.
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Chad Powers cast
| Actor | Role |
| Glen Powell | Russ Holliday |
| Steve Zahn | Jake Hudson |
| Toby Huss | Mike Holliday |
| Perry Mattfeld | Ricky |
| Wynn Everett | Tricia |
| Frankie A. Rodriguez | Danny |
| Clayne Crawford | Coach Dobbs |
| Colton Ryan | Gerry Dougan |
| Keese Wilson | Rod Mason |
| Xavier Mills | Nishan Leonard |
| Quentin Plair | Coach Byrd |
| Kevin Trainor | Press Conference Moderator |
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Glen Powell
Powell is one of Hollywood's fastest-rising leading actors, known for blending classic movie star charisma with self-aware comedy.
A native of Austin, Texas, Powell gained widespread recognition for his roles in the horror-comedy series "Scream Queens" (2015-2016) and the acclaimed film "Everybody Wants Some!!" (2016). His career exploded with his role as Jake "Hangman" Seresin in the blockbuster "Top Gun: Maverick" (2022) and the romantic comedy "Anyone but You" (2023).
In Chad Powers, Powell stars as the disgraced quarterback Russ Holliday, who disguises himself as the character. Powell also serves as a co-creator, co-writer, and executive producer on the series, demonstrating his deep involvement beyond just acting.
"I really overestimated wearing burnt orange at The Horseshoe at Ohio State. ... What a bad idea."
— College GameDay (@CollegeGameDay) September 29, 2025
–@glenpowell on his College GameDay experience 😅
Catch "Chad Powers" streaming on Hulu September 30 and get All of ESPN, All in One Place, now part of the Disney+, Hulu & ESPN… pic.twitter.com/ymn2vqg4z6
Powers is a big Texas football fan, and he has been seen at multiple of the Longhorns' games this season.
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Steve Zahn
Zahn is a veteran actor with a long and diverse career across film and television, often praised for his ability to play both comedic and deeply nuanced dramatic roles.
His notable film roles include "Reality Bites," "That Thing You Do!," and "Out of Sight." In recent years, he has earned critical acclaim for his television work, including a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for his role in the first season of "The White Lotus."
It's like the #ChadPowers cast knew EXACTLY what I needed, some good pump-up songs 🎧
— MTV (@MTV) September 29, 2025
🌟 @glenpowell
🌟 Steve Zahn pic.twitter.com/AlLNnGo4mu
In "Chad Powers," Zahn plays Head Coach Jake Hudson, the coach of the struggling South Georgia Catfish who is under pressure to deliver wins.
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Toby Huss
Huss is instantly recognizable to many for his voice work as Kahn Souphanousinphone and Cotton Hill on the long-running animated series "King of the Hill" and for playing the eccentric "Stumpy" Dreifuss on HBO's "Carnivàle." More recently, he was highly praised for his role as John Bosworth in the drama "Halt and Catch Fire."
In "Chad Powers," Huss plays Mike Holliday, a professional movie makeup artist whose skills are ironically used to create the elaborate prosthetics for his son’s disguise.
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Perry Mattfeld
Mattfeld gained widespread recognition for her lead role as the complex, sight-impaired protagonist Murphy Mason in the television series "In the Dark."
Prior to her lead roles, Mattfeld was a professional ballet dancer and performed in various stage productions. Her earlier television credits include recurring roles on Shameless and Wizards of Waverly Place.
In the new show, she plays Ricky, the daughter of Coach Hudson and a recently named assistant coach, who helps Powell’s character navigate his new, secretive life.
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Wynn Everett
Everett is most notably known as the brilliant scientist and classic Marvel villain Whitney Frost (Madame Masque) in "Agent Carter." Her other prominent roles include appearances in "The Newsroom and This Is Us."
In Chad Powers, Everett is perfectly cast as Tricia Yeager, the powerful and ambitious head of the boosters' association. Her character represents the intense financial and institutional pressure placed on the small-town football program to win, often clashing with Coach Hudson’s more traditional views.
Frankie A. Rodriguez
Rodriguez is recognizable for his role as Carlos Rodriguez on "High School Musical: The Musical: The Series." In the series, he’s known for his infectious passion for musical theatre and his high-energy, elaborate dance sequences.
Rodriguez trades the stage for the locker room in "Chad Powers," playing Danny, the team's loyal mascot and assistant whose digital savvy helps Powell’s character maintain his disguise.
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Clayne Crawford
Crawford is an actor known for his work in both television and independent film, most notably for his role as Martin Riggs on the Fox television series "Lethal Weapon," a role which earned him a nomination for the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Drama Series.
He also starred in the critically acclaimed TV series "Rectify." In Chad Powers, Crawford plays Coach Dobbs, the team's quarterback coach.
Colton Ryan
Ryan earned a Tony Award nomination for his stage work and critical acclaim for his lead role as Conrad Roy in the Hulu miniseries "The Girl from Plainville." He also played Connor Murphy in the film adaptation of the Broadway hit "Dear Evan Hansen."
In "Chad Powers," Ryan shifts away from these dramatic, complex roles to play Gerry Dougan. Gerry is the team’s easily-mocked quarterback who is on the team when Powers arrives.
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Keese Wilson
Wilson is an actor and musician known for his roles in "The Stranger" and "Daisy Winters."
In "Chad Powers," Wilson plays Rod Mason, a player on the South Georgia Catfish team.
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Xavier Mills
Mills is a rising actor with a background in prestige television and film, having appeared in AMC’s series "Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire" and "The Supremes at Earl's All-You-Can-Eat." His roles often place him in dramas, making him a dynamic talent to watch.
Mills plays Nishan Leonard in the show, another player on the South Georgia Catfish team.
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Quentin Plair
Plair is an American actor known for his roles in television dramas and miniseries. His notable credits include appearances in "Tiny Beautiful Things," "Welcome to Chippendales," and the miniseries "The Good Lord Bird."
In "Chad Powers," Plair plays Coach Byrd, one of the coaching staff members who helps guide the team and its players, serving as a foil to the more beleaguered head coach.
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Kevin Trainor
Trainor is known for his work in historical dramas and acclaimed British television. His most notable roles include portraying Charles Adams in the miniseries "John Adams," appearing in the BBC series "The Café" and the detective show "Sherlock."
Trainor plays the Press Conference Moderator in the new series.
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Celebrity cameos in Chad Powers
The main celebrity cameo in the new Hulu series Chad Powers is Eli Manning, who appears as the head coach of the Ole Miss Rebels. Manning played Powers in the quarterback's first appearance, a tryout prank with Penn State football.
"[Eli and Peyton Manning] showed up for the show in every single way. ... The best thing about it is I had both of those guys as my quarterback coaches."@glenpowell shares what it was like working with Eli and Peyton on "Chad Powers" 🙌
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) September 29, 2025
Catch "Chad Powers" streaming on Hulu… pic.twitter.com/NQijX2CGoz
Eli's brother and NFL Hall of Famer, Peyton, also worked on the show with Powell.
Powell also has his family members make cameos, including his mom and dad. While Powell has expressed interest in a Season 2 cameo from Taylor Swift, it's unclear if she has already appeared.
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