Hulu’s new football comedy, *Chad Powers*, stars Glen Powell as former star quarterback Russ Holliday, who uses facial prosthetics, a wig, and an over-the-top fake voice to disguise himself as aspiring pro QB Chad Powers. The premise naturally invites plenty of laughs, but when Russ’ secret is finally revealed in Season 1’s eventful finale, *Chad Powers* unexpectedly levels up, delivering its most emotional and dramatic scenes yet.
“Hopefully, like any good story, we want to really beat our hero up and make it hard for him,” Michael Waldron, who co-created, wrote, and executive produced the series alongside Powell, told Decider over Zoom. “These moments are why I wanted to do this show, where, unlike *Mrs. Doubtfire* or *Tootsie*, on this one, it’s kind of like nobody gets out alive.”
### Finale Highlights and Directorial Debut
Episode 6, titled “6TH QUARTER,” explores the fallout of Coach Hudson’s (Steve Zahn) heart attack, Ricky’s (Perry Mattfeld) processing of harsh truths and tough decisions for the South Georgia Catfish, and Russ’s soul-searching both as himself and as Chad. Besides perfectly setting the stage for a potential Season 2, this finale also marks Michael Waldron’s directorial debut.
Waldron shared with Decider what it was like stepping into the director’s chair for the first time. “It was so much fun. I’ve described it as easier than not directing. We had a script we were really excited about. I’ve been around a lot of great filmmakers and worked closely with Sam Raimi on *Doctor Strange 2*, and I learned so much from him. I felt ready and confident, and my job is really just to get out of the way and let those great actors do their thing. So I hope to do more and more of it.”
### Intimate Emotional Scenes
The finale has many emotional scenes set in intimate spaces—the Cybertruck, the trailer, and notably, the bus. Waldron highlighted the bus scene as especially rewarding to shoot. “Glen and Perry’s performance in there are tremendous. We were building the season toward this confrontation between those two characters, and after shooting on the bus in Episode 4, I felt drawn back to that small, confined space. When he shuts that bus door, it’s like closing an airlock—they’re locked in together and have to have it out. It was great.”
He praised the camera work from Mark Schwartzbard, the director of photography, and the whole crew. “That one was really fun, and we got to rehearse it with the actors.”
### Harsh Words and Redemption
One of the most striking moments on the bus is Ricky’s harsh statement to Russ: “I wish after the Rose Bowl you just killed yourself.” Waldron explained the intention behind these cutting words and their impact on Russ’s redemption journey, especially following Coach Hudson calling him “a cancer” in the previous episode.
“We want to really beat our hero up and make it hard for him. That’s why I wanted to do the show—unlike *Mrs. Doubtfire* or *Tootsie*, in this one, nobody gets out alive. I wanted to explore what people’s actual reaction might be to this sort of thing.”
He continued, “It hurts Russ very deeply, as Glen’s performance shows, because Ricky’s words speak to real struggles many athletes face when failing on the biggest stage. Social media after those moments is often cruel, filled with comments telling them to ‘kill yourself.’ That’s part of our online culture. So Ricky’s words are her way of hurting him.”
Waldron also teased the possibility of exploring how—if ever—they could come back from such darkness in Season 2.
### A Romantic Comedy at Heart
While many ask about sports movie inspirations, Waldron categorizes *Chad Powers* primarily as a romantic comedy. He cited films like *Jerry Maguire*, *When Harry Met Sally*, and *Notting Hill* as influences, especially when crafting Chad and Ricky’s dynamic.
“I was thinking about stories where a self-absorbed guy has to figure out how to get the girl, but of course trips over himself doing it,” he said.
He also mentioned the iconic speech Russ makes confessing his feelings for Ricky. “I was excited about doing that kind of final speech, but then having it turn into something where they don’t get their happy ending right away—the writing version of caressing and slapping the face.”
### Dad Scenes and Prosthetics Fun
Before Chad and Ricky’s romantic tension builds, both characters share touching father-related scenes inspired by Russ’s elevator advice. Waldron also revealed that Toby Huss was enthusiastic about his big prosthetics moment as Chad’s dad.
“I pitched Toby the idea of getting him in a fat suit, and he was all in. It perfectly captures what I love about the show—balancing cathartic emotional moments with absurd comedy. Glen delivering a powerful dramatic speech, then cutting to Toby Huss in the ridiculous prosthetic fat suit, also acting dramatically—we just kept looking around in disbelief that we were getting away with this. All thanks to Michael Bay! [Laughs]”
### Glen Powell’s Dual Role Performance
Waldron praised Glen Powell’s work in the big father/son/Chad monologue, highlighting his physical and emotional range playing two characters.
“In this finale, I was excited to have Glen click into that amazing dramatic gear and finally tap into real honesty from Russ—who can only express it while disguised as Chad. That shows how emotionally stunted he is.”
He noted that much of what made it into the final cut was from their very first take. “He knocked it out of the park, and seeing him reach that place the first time was really special.”
### Exploring Backstory
The exchange also reveals that Chad’s mom died and his dad hasn’t seen him smile the same since. Waldron said they intended to be deliberate in how much they reveal.
“It was always part of the character Glen and I knew, but we didn’t want *Chad Powers* just to be about past off-screen trauma. The main trauma is the Rose Bowl and its fallout. Maybe down the line, we’ll explore more about his mom or others’ backstories, but I’m not big on flashbacks. We’ll see.”
### Father-Daughter Dynamic
Steve Zahn and Perry Mattfeld share a poignant hospital scene in the finale, displaying a father-daughter bond that was especially meaningful to Waldron, who became a father himself during filming.
“That hospital scene is maybe my favorite in the show. The themes mark a departure from the comedy—it’s just real. I was newly a dad when we started shooting and poured the vivid emotions I was living into their relationship. With actors that good, my job was just not to mess it up.”
### Filming in Sanford Stadium
The season wraps with a dream-come-true moment filming in Sanford Stadium, Waldron’s alma mater.
“We rehearsed extensively on the practice field and on the actual field in Atlanta. Our AD Kris Krengel choreographed camera moves with the crew and extras. A late idea was to have Ricky toss the ball to Russ instead of handing it, which added a cool play—everyone nailed it. Natalie Holt’s score matched, even exceeded, the epic feeling of the visuals.”
### Cliffhanger and Season 2 Tease
Fans screaming over the finale’s cliffhanger will be interested to know it was always the intended Season 1 endgame.
“We knew we had six episodes and were excited to have Ricky find out early. So we never considered showing the game results—it was always about ending on the cliffhanger and making what happens next good and fulfilling.”
About Season 2, Waldron teased:
“If we’re lucky to get another season, Ricky will be pulled into the ‘Chad Powers’ conspiracy alongside Russ and Danny. That creates a whole new, really fun dynamic.”
Regarding Glen Powell’s busy schedule, Waldron assured, “We want to make it on time, on schedule. We don’t want fans waiting years for six episodes. The response is growing, and we want to deliver without delay.”
### Other Characters and Romantic Hope
When asked about shipping opportunities beyond Chad and Ricky, Waldron expressed enthusiasm for Coach Hudson and Tricia’s dynamic.
“Steve and Wynn have amazing chemistry—just put them in a room, and it’s hilarious. Coach Hudson is on the market, although we hinted at some chemistry between Tricia and Coach Dobbs. We’ll see where that goes.”
### Memorable Improv Moments
Waldron shared one of the best improv moments from the season came from Glen Powell in Episode 5 with the line: “Is this wood? It’s all so woody!” The team kept the joke going longer than expected, creating an iconic scene.
### Final Thoughts for Fans
Waldron closed with a note for viewers:
“*Chad Powers* starts farcical but really grows into something deeper in Episodes 5 and 6. I hope people keep giving it a chance and allow themselves to be surprised. The show is probably not what you expect based on the trailers or initial impressions.”
*Chad Powers* Season 1 is now streaming on Hulu.
https://decider.com/2025/10/29/chad-powers-michael-waldron-interview-season-1-finale-recap-season-2-info/
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