A New Tone
Chad Powers, based on an Eli Manning prank video, follows disgraced quarterback Russ Holliday (Glen Powell) who uses prosthetics to become Chad Powers, a walk-on for the South Georgia Catfish. Season 1 balanced character drama with zany comedy, but Season 2 embraces a thriller vibe from the start, with a fast-paced episode set in real time during a stressful game.[S1]
After losing his prosthetic nose, Russ flees trainers and dashes around the stadium to fix his face, leading to a slick manhunt with disguises and close calls. Coach Ricky (Perry Mattfeld) reluctantly helps Russ and Danny (Frankie A. Rodriguez), but as more people get involved, the danger escalates.[S1]
Rising Stakes
The season intensifies as Russ, Danny, and Ricky fend off questions about Chad's odd behavior. The show, on paper a Mrs. Doubtfire with football, becomes seriously suspenseful. Even silly scenes, like Russ passing off his real father (Toby Huss) as Chad's, feel claustrophobic.[S1]
Discovering Chad's identity would ruin Russ's life again, but also Danny's, destroy Ricky's career, and could cause Coach Jake (Steve Zahn) another heart attack. Russ must decide if this last shot at glory is worth the risk before someone gets hurt.[S1]
A New Villain
Backup quarterback Gerry (Colton Ryan) becomes a true menace in Season 2, engaging in stalking and blackmail. Ryan's chilling performance contrasts with Gerry's Season 1 naivete, and his scenes are gripping, especially in the final episodes.[S1]
By leaning into thriller conventions, Chad Powers carves its own niche in a landscape full of sports comedies. The laughs continue, and the ensemble gels better, but the suspense sets it apart and gives it its power.[S1]
