Glen Powell’s Prosthetic-Packed College Football Comedy Hits Hulu with ‘Chad Powers’

If you’re a fan of football, comedy, or clever disguises, Hulu’s new series Chad Powers is about to rocket to the top of your must-watch list. Actor Glen Powell, known for his starring roles in hits like Top Gun: Maverick, recently chatted with Michael Strahan on Good Morning America about how he dove into the role of undercover college quarterback Chad Powers, and why making the football feel “legit” was just as important as the laughs.

Inspired by Eli Manning’s viral 2022 Penn State walk-on prank, Powell and screenwriter Michael Waldron developed the show with an even deeper dive into prosthetics, comedy, and football authenticity. Powell undergoes a full hour’s worth of makeup magic to become Powers, complete with forehead, nose, cheek, and lip prosthetics, plus a custom set of teeth, a transformation that not only stuns audiences but also pays tribute to Chad’s backstory, whose fictional dad was a Hollywood makeup pro.

Real football cred comes from executive producers Eli and Peyton Manning, who Powell says are “extremely involved” in every step of production. “We wanted this thing to be funny and heartfelt but to have the football be legit,” he explains—something that football fans will definitely appreciate.

Filmed at Georgia State University in Atlanta, Powell and Strahan even shared a few laughs about what it takes to take a real hit on the field, with Strahan jokingly offering some real-deal tackling tips. While Powell admits he’s a die-hard college football fan, growing up rallying around Ohio State games with his family, he jokes that an actual NFL tryout would go straight to voicemail.

Chad Powers premieres on Hulu September 30, blending heartfelt comedy and genuine sports action for both football lovers and sitcom fans alike.