By Danielle Broadway
LOS ANGELES, Sept 1 (Reuters) – For actor and show co-creator Glen Powell, season two of U.S. sports comedy “Chad Powers” becomes more enthralling as the show’s big secret is revealed to more characters.
Following a humiliating scandal, the show follows star American football quarterback Russ Holliday — played by Powell — as he adopts the alter ego Chad Powers and joins a struggling school team. Russ works to conceal his true identity.
But slowly the secret is beginning to unravel.
“There’s a lot to play there,” Powell told Reuters.
The show was inspired by real-life quarterback Eli Manning, who disguised himself as a character called Chad Powers to try out for a college team in a sketch that went viral on YouTube. Powell and “Loki” creator Michael Waldron turned the Powers character into a series.
Perry Mattfeld, who plays Ricky Hudson, assistant coach for Russ/Chad’s team, the South Georgia Catfish, said her relationship with the quarterback is going to get more complicated as he becomes aware of how it could affect her if his cover is blown.
“I think the stakes of her career weigh on Chad as well. I mean, I think he’s aware of that and knows how bad things would be not only for his coach but for Ricky as well,” she said.
This season, Russ/Chad must make a critical choice about whether to prioritize himself or his friends.
One friend Powell’s character has had since the first season is Danny Cruz, played by Frankie Rodriguez. Danny is the team’s mascot and helps Russ maintain his disguise.
“What’s really fun in season two is seeing just how much Russ is changing and how he really does want to be a good person and a good friend. It’s really sweet,” Rodriguez said.
Russ is ready to be more considerate, added Mattfeld.
“Part of the heroic thing you see him doing in season two is really considering both Danny and Ricky in all of his choices,” she said.
“Chad Powers” season two arrives on Hulu and Disney+ on Thursday.
(Reporting by Danielle Broadway and Matt Silverstein, Editing by Rosalba O’Brien)
