‘Chad Powers’ season two raises stakes as secrets unravel

LOS ANGELES: For actor and show co-creator Glen Powell, season two of US 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.